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**Hugh** · Yesterday, 20:10

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-b3075143.html

Quote:

Nigel Farage chose not to attend John Healey’s Budget speech in the Commons to prevent a possible "physical altercation", the Reform UK leader has claimed.

According to Mr Farage, his prayer card - which MPs place on seats to reserve them in the chamber - had been removed on Wednesday. He noted that he had already experienced a confrontation with a fellow MP during the state opening of Parliament on 13 May.

Speaking at a Westminster press conference following the address, he explained his absence as the Chancellor spoke.

"At the state opening of Parliament, I got involved… I didn’t want to… but I got involved in a physical altercation with an MP in the chamber,” Farage said.

"I didn’t make a fuss about it, I didn’t complain, but I could see given that my prayer card had been removed, I was heading towards another physical altercation. Just sometimes it’s better to avoid conflict…

… In a statement issued to the Press Association, a spokesperson for the House of Commons said a prayer card was removed because it did not display the relevant information needed to reserve a place.

The spokesperson said: “There are clear and long-established arrangements for members to reserve their own seats in the chamber using prayer cards displaying a valid date stamp.

Today, a prayer card placed on a seat did not display a valid date stamp and was removed in line with the usual chamber protocol.”