British media have 'demonised' Ukip and made me a virtual prisoner, says Farage

Nigel Farage has said he is living like a "virtual prisoner" and is "frightened" to leave his home because of the way the media has "demonised" Ukip.

The former party leader accused the press of highlighting some members of the party with controversial views to try to discredit Ukip as a whole.

He told ITV's Piers Morgan's Life Stories: "It is because of these irrelevant people, who held no position, they happened to join an organisation, and because of these irrelevant people being demonised by liberal media, I've had to live years, frankly, of being frightened of walking out into the street all because the media picked out these people. And because of these people, attempted to demonise me and give me a bad name.

"And you're surprised three years on, when I have to live like a virtual prisoner, that I'm not happy about it? Will I ever forgive the British media for what they've done to me? No."

One of the controversies Mr Farage was asked about was when then Ukip MEP Godfrey Bloom complained about Britain sending development aid to "Bongo Bongo Land".

Mr Farage said: "He was wrong to use the term 'Bongo Bongo Land'. Was he right about us sending foreign aid to corrupt regimes all over the world when we could spend it better at home? Of course he was right."

The ex-Ukip leader signalled he could make another political comeback if Brexit is handled badly, saying: "If this falls to bits, anything could happen, let's see."

Asked if he would like to be prime minister, he said: "If this political class let us down on Brexit, then anything can happen."

Mr Farage denied that Ukip had racist positions, saying: "Our policies are common-sense policies and when you look at the sheer hundreds of hours of interviews and speeches I have done, you really struggle to find anything you can put in that category."

Asked about rumours regarding his marriage, Mr Farage said: "I'd describe it as being a bit like most others really - all marriages, all relationships have huge ups and downs.

"If it still exists now then it could possibly survive anything, couldn't it? One of of my hopes is that life will start getting a little bit more normal going on from here. I hope it can't be as bad as it's been, can it?"

:: Piers Morgan's Life Stories will be broadcast on ITV at 9pm on Friday February 24.