Richard Tice clashed with a Labour minister after she took aim at Nigel Farage on tonight’s BBC Question Time.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson accused the Reform leader of “fawning” over Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But Mr Tice, Reform’s deputy leader, insisted Ms Phillipson was talking “rubbish”.
The heated moment came as the panel show discussed the Ukraine war and Donald Trump’s push for a peace deal.
Ms Phillipson said: “Reform is just all over the place on this and we’ve had some really deeply worrying things from your leader fawning over Putin, a man who poses a serious risk to our country’s security.”
The pair spoke over each other as Mr Tice cut in: “He’s not fawning over Putin. Nonsense, rubbish.”
Ms Phillipson replied: “He said he admires him, he said he admires Vladimir Putin, a tyrant and a dictator.”
The Reform MP said: “We’ve been robust in our support for Ukraine ever since day one.”
Host Fiona Bruce then pointed out that Mr Farage previously said he admired Mr Putin as a politician.
But Mr Tice insisted the comments were made 10 years ago.
He added: “We’ve all been very clear that he is a brutal, murderous monster and we absolutely stand with Ukraine and that’s everything we stand for alongside all the other parties.”
