MAKERFIELD — Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin and Labour peer Thangam Debbonaire appeared together in a televised interview at a byelection count. During the interview, Debbonaire asked Pochin, "You don't like being on television with brown people, do you Sarah?"

Debbonaire asserted Pochin had previously made comments about seeing "brown people" on television. Pochin stated comments she made in October regarding television advertisements were driven by viewer complaints about advertising demographics.

The discussion addressed a £5 million gift received by Nigel Farage from Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based crypto billionaire, before the 2024 general election. Pochin stated, "In terms of the £5m, Nigel received that as a gift before he was in politics, so he doesn't need to declare it." A parliamentary standards commissioner is investigating the gift. Parliamentary rules require the declaration of benefits for the 12 months before taking office as a member of parliament.

Pochin claimed Farage's security had been removed, saying, "Nigel has had his security taken away by the Labour government, which is spiteful. He's a politician and he's a target and now he has to pay for his own security." Debbonaire disputed this, stating Parliament provides security. Farage initially stated the gift was for his personal security for his lifetime, but he later stated it was a reward for campaigning for Brexit. Debbonaire also referenced Pochin's earlier video, stating, "You keep smiling when we are talking about violence against women and girls." Pochin defended her previous video by stating she was linking football team losses to increased incidents of domestic violence.

Debbonaire walked away from the camera and held her head in her hands during the interview. Pochin referenced Debbonaire's loss of her parliamentary seat to a Green Party candidate in the 2024 general election. Debbonaire is a former Labour member of parliament for Bristol West, and Pochin is the Reform UK member of parliament for Runcorn and Helsby. Following the interview, Debbonaire stated that she stood by her comments.