Reform UK's Robert Jenrick was blasted by LBC listeners as he took calls live on air after defending Nigel Farage's decision to trigger a by-election in Clacton20:38, 09 Jul 2026Robert Jenrick was blasted during an awkward live call-in on LBC. It came after the Reform UK Treasury spokesperson defended Nigel Farage's decision to trigger a by-election in his Clacton constituency.‌Mr Farage dramatically quit as an MP on Tuesday following controversy over a £5million gift he had received from a crypto billionaire, which was under investigation by Parliament's commissioner for standards.‌But as Jenrick stood in for regular presenter James O'Brien on LBC and said that Farage had shown "balls" as he put his career as an MP on the line by calling for the by-election. Farage had won his Clacton seat with an 8,400 majority just two years ago.‌Currently, his only opponent in the by-election is Count Binface after the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Labour and Green Party refused to participate.Jenrick blasted the other political parties, labelling them "cowards" for not putting forward a candidate for the election. However, during the live call-in on LBC, many listeners were quick to slam Jenrick and his party.‌Al, from Glasgow, said: "I think Farage is throwing toys out of his pram. He cannot deal with a challenge, and so he has to have some kind of prima donna reaction. It's nothing to do with democracy. His democratic vote has already been taken, the other parties shouldn't rise to the bait, he's just being a child."Meanwhile, John, calling from Sheffield, said: "I think that Nigel Farage isn't a sensible candidate, even when compared to Count Binface."‌Jenrick hit back with: "I do think Count Binface is an interesting character. Nigel has been in the House of Commons now for two years, so he's used to people who've got robotic voices and a head full of rubbish, so I'm sure he'll be able to take on Binface."Ben, who was calling in from Leigh-on-Sea, argued that Farage was "insulting the voters of Clacton by not waiting for the commission to produce their report and their findings, and then there potentially being a by-election when they've got all the facts in front of them."He added: "Do you not think he's being cowardly by trying to get out in front before we know the full facts and evidence against him?" But Nicola, a Reform member of two years, from Horsham, even disagreed with Farage's decision.Article continues belowShe fumed: "What's happening now is leaving me in despair. I don't like this by-election sideshow nonsense. Nigel is giving the media exactly what they want. No matter what channel you turn to – TV, radio, they're loving it."Lisa, from Brentwood said of Farage: "The fact that you’re sticking up for him just shows what a person you are because you didn’t have a by-election, you were quite happy to just walk across the floor without giving the people of Runcorn a chance to decide whether they wanted Reform."Earlier today, the probe into whether Farage breached the Code of Conduct for MPs was suspended after he decided to resign from his position.