Nigel Farage suggests he would challenge Trump over NHS drug prices under a post-Brexit trade deal

Nigel Farage suggested today he would stand up to US president over drug prices for the NHS if he was involved in a post-Brexit trade deal –  but would be happy to accept American chlorinated chicken.

The Brexit Party leader made the claim as he sat down for a prime-time television grilling with the BBC’s Andrew Neil on a day of drama that sawe four of his MEPs dramatically quit over election policy.

Mr Farage said that the argument over drug prices – that they would rise under a new transatlantic free trade deal –  was ‘utterly ludicrous’, adding: ‘No British government would sign up to more expensive drugs.’

But he signalled that it would not be the case of a breakdown in talks, adding: ‘We just wouldn’t buy his drugs would we? It’s very simple. 

‘We’re not going to buy more expensive drugs. Alright, we can choose to buy drugs, we can manufacture them ourselves, or buy them on the global market.’

Mr Neil asked: ‘So there’ll be no trade deal? This thing that you put so much store in. Today you’ve just said there’ll be no trade deal.

To which Mr Farage replied: ‘No, no, no. When it comes to Scotch whisky, when it comes to Levis jeans, when it comes to the big financial centres of New York and London, there’s an awful lot we can do.’

Mr Farage said that the argument over drug prices – that they would rise under a new transatlantic free trade deal – was ‘utterly ludicrous’

Mr Neil then asked if he has ‘told Mr Trump, who’s your friend, have you told him that drug prices and this sort of thing will not be on the table?’

Mr Farage replied: ‘I think the truth of it is that the view of the Trump administration is that this conversation you and I are having at the moment is probably wholly academic.

‘Because if the Withdrawal Agreement passes unamended after Boris has won this election the chances of us doing free trade deals with America or elsewhere will be hugely inhibited.’  

US President Donald Trump, appearing on Mr Farage’s LBC radio show, said last month: ‘Under certain aspects of the deal… you can’t do it, you can’t do it, you can’t trade.’

Mr Farage also said he would refuse to vote for the Prime Minister’s Withdrawal Agreement in his role as a Euro MP if he won the election and the deal was passed by Parliament.

Farmers and animal welfare charities have raised concerns about chlorinated chicken entering British stores. 

Annunziata Rees-Mogg, MEP for the East Midlands said the Conservatives were the ‘only option for Brexit supporters and democrats alike’

They argue that US poultry is washed in the chemical because lower standards leave them more open to disease.

Mr Farage said that the chlorine made the meat like  ‘every salad pack in our shops right now’.

Mr Neil asked: ‘So are you prepared to put them on the table? That’s the question.’

And the Brexit Party leader replied: ‘With the right labelling, of course. And then it’s a matter of consumer choice.’

Mr Farage today lashed out at Jacob Rees-Mogg’s sister for quitting the Brexit Party along with three other MEPs.

A Brexit Party spokesman pointed to close ties between the rebels and senior Tories – including Ms Rees-Mogg’s brother Jacob (pictured together)

Mr Farage complained that his former colleagues ‘don’t understand’ the election dynamics in Labour marginals after they dramatically abandoned him, urging voters to back Boris Johnson at the election. 

But in a bruising interview with the BBC’s Andrew Neil he was accused of ‘smears’ for pointing out that Annunziata Rees-Mogg was related to Cabinet minister Jacob, and another of the defectors was a ‘personal friend’ of Mr Johnson.  

Alongside Ms Rees-Mogg, John Longworth, the former British Chambers of Commerce chief, Lance Forman and Lucy Harris have also resigned.

In a significant boost for the PM, they have appealed for colleagues to follow their example and avoid splitting the Eurosceptic vote in the poll next Thursday. 

All four will continue to sit as independent MEPs.