Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has come under fire after claiming that migrants are stealing swans and carp from London parks and consuming them, a claim for which Royal Parks says there is no evidence.
During an interview on LBC, Farage said: “If I said to you that swans were being eaten in Royal Parks … and carps were being taken out of ponds and eaten … would you agree that is happening here?”, when pressed on who might be doing this, he responded: “People who come from countries where it’s quite acceptable to do so.” He added that he “believes” migrants from Eastern Europe might be involved.
Royal Parks, which manages London’s eight main parks including Hyde Park and Richmond Park, issued a clear rebuttal. A spokesperson said they have not received any reports of people killing or eating swans: “We’ve not had any incidents reported to us of people killing or eating swans in London’s eight Royal Parks. Our wildlife officers work closely with the Swan Sanctuary to ensure the welfare of the swans across the parks.”
The controversy echoes earlier claims made in the U.S. by former President Donald Trump, who alleged immigrants were eating cats and dogs. Critics have labelled Farage’s remarks xenophobic and irresponsible.
In past years, mutilated swans have been found in London parks, but investigations have not established any connection with these claims. In 2003, Scotland Yard looked into allegations of swan theft and cooking, but no arrests or convictions followed.