Farage claim that migrants are killing and eating swans debunked by Royal Parks

Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, asserted on LBC that migrants from eastern Europe are killing and eating swans in London's parks, a claim that the Royal Parks charity quickly disputed. The charity, which oversees eight of the capital's most visited green spaces including Hyde Park and Richmond Park, said it had not received any reports of people killing or eating swans in the parks. "We’ve not had any incidents reported to us of people killing or eating swans in London’s eight Royal Parks," a spokesperson said. "Our wildlife officers work closely with the Swan Sanctuary to ensure the welfare of the swans across the parks."

Farage’s comments came during an appearance on LBC radio, where he was challenged about past remarks by former U.S. president Donald Trump. The Reform UK leader had previously insisted that evidence would emerge to back up Trump’s unsubstantiated claims. When asked on Wednesday whether he agreed that Trump’s remarks had turned out to be nonsensical, Farage dodged the question and pivoted to a discussion of swans and carp allegedly being taken from UK waters. He said: "If I said to you that swans were being eaten in Royal Parks in this country, that carp were being taken out of ponds and eaten in this country by people who come from cultures that have a different… would you agree it happened, is happening here?" He added that it was "people who come from countries where it's quite acceptable to do so" who are taking the carp and swans, and when pressed, he replied: "So I believe."

The Royal Parks charity’s prompt denial stands in contrast to Farage’s assertion and underscores the ongoing political framing of immigration in relation to public spaces and wildlife. The charity noted that its welfare work with swans is conducted across all eight parks, with wildlife officers coordinating with the Swan Sanctuary to protect the birds. The exchange drew attention to how political figures sometimes invoke sensitive social issues in conversations about public spaces and migration, even when authorities place emphasis on verifiable incidents and welfare protocols.

Images illustrating London’s parks and swans appear in coverage of the dispute.

The episode originated with a Daily Mail report detailing Farage’s claim and the swift pushback from Royal Parks. While the remarks feed into broader debates about immigration and social cohesion, the charity’s statement maintains that there have been no reported swan-related incidents in the capital’s Royal Parks, and it emphasizes ongoing welfare efforts for waterfowl in partnership with wildlife organizations.

As the political dialogue around migration continues to intersect with everyday public spaces, authorities stress the importance of relying on verifiable information and official welfare assessments. Farage’s remarks, whether intended to provoke a larger conversation or to spotlight concerns about cultural differences, have not been substantiated by the Royal Parks, which continues to monitor and protect its animal populations across London’s iconic parks.