Nigel Farage clarifies breastfeeding 'sit in the corner' LBC radio comments: 'It's just a question of good manners'

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Nigel Farage has denied saying that breastfeeding women should “sit in the corner” rather than feed their babies in an “ostentatious” way in public, despite making the statement live on the radio.

The Ukip leader faced criticism after his comments during an LBC interview earlier today.

He said some people feel “very uncomfortable” and “embarrassed” about seeing women openly breastfeeding, although it isn’t a scene that he is “terribly hung up about”.

Clarifying his remarks in a series of tweets, he posted the following:

During the interview, which can be heard via the video clip below, he said: “I’m not particularly bothered about it, but I know a lot of people do feel very uncomfortable, and look – this is just a matter of common sense, isn’t it?”

“I think that given that some people feel very embarrassed by it, it isn’t too difficult to breastfeed a baby in a way that's not openly ostentatious.”

He was asked the question in reference to reports this week that a mother was given a large napkin to cover her baby while feeding her baby in Claridge’s to avoid causing “offence” to other guests.

“Frankly, that’s up to Claridge's, and I very much take the view that if you're running an establishment you should have rules,” he said.

When asked if women should perhaps sit in a toilet if they want to feed their babies, he came up with another solution.

“Or perhaps sit in the corner, or whatever it might be – that's up to Claridge’s,” he said.

“It’s not an issue that I get terribly hung up about, but I know particularly people of the older generation feel awkward and embarrassed by it.”