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Farage to Testify in US Hearing on UK Online Laws Citing Lucy Connolly Case

Republicans portray European speech rules as a risk to US tech firms, with tariff threats raising trade stakes.

Overview

  • Nigel Farage is set to appear before the US House Judiciary Committee in Washington this week at the invitation of chairman Jim Jordan.
  • He plans to highlight Lucy Connolly’s prosecution as evidence of UK free‑speech backsliding; Connolly received a 31‑month sentence after pleading guilty to inciting racial hatred for an X post urging attacks on asylum hotels.
  • Farage says he will challenge the UK’s Online Safety Act, including Ofcom’s power to fine platforms up to 10% of global revenue, which he argues harms USUK commercial ties.
  • Committee Republicans have recently examined European speech regulations in Brussels and London, contending the rules affect Americans and US companies.
  • President Trump has threatened additional tariffs on countries that keep digital regulations he views as discriminatory toward US tech products.