Count Binface has criticised BBC Newsnight after presenter Paddy O'Connell asked him to remove his signature bin lid during a live broadcast. The political candidate, who is running against Nigel Farage in the Clacton-on-Sea by-election, refused and labelled the programme a 'souped-up podcast'.
Binface refuses to remove headgear
O'Connell said: 'Why don't you bin off the bin on Newsnight now? We know that your name is Jon, we know really a lot about you,' adding: 'Isn't it time for serious times, to bin off the bin?' Count Binface responded by referencing 'Return of the Jedi', stating: 'Nobody wants to know what's underneath a Recyclon, it's disgusting. It's absolutely putrifying.'
Criticism of Newsnight's direction
Binface continued: 'You get me on Newsnight and you start trying to deconstruct a character. I would say, what are we doing here, on a programme which used to construct proper investigative journalism and now is a souped-up podcast.' O'Connell countered that viewers tune in for transparency, adding: 'That's the point. You're not transparent, and that's the criticism being made of Nigel Farage.'
Clacton by-election context
Count Binface is Nigel Farage's main rival in Clacton, as Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Restore Britain have not put forward candidates. Binface has tailored his manifesto locally but retains broader policies such as building at least one affordable house, nationalising Adele, bringing back Ceefax, and moving a hand dryer in a pub in Uxbridge to a more sensible position. 'As you know, it's a national issue,' he said in a BBC Breakfast interview.
Odds and background
According to bookmakers William Hill, Binface has 4/1 odds of becoming Clacton's new MP. The character, described as a 5000-year-old space warrior, is created by comedian Jonathan David Harvey. Harvey previously stood in the Makerfield by-election against Andy Burnham, receiving 95 votes compared to Burnham's 24,842. He also stood against Boris Johnson in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in 2019, earning 69 votes.
Potential win and parliamentary rules
When asked if he could win, Binface said: 'Probably not, but you know what, it's the taking part that counts,' adding that his role is to demonstrate the wonders of British democracy. MPs are reportedly preparing to ask the Speaker for permission to allow Binface to wear his space suit and bin head in Parliament if he wins, despite rules requiring clothing that shows 'respect for the House.' Harvey, who graduated from Oxford University with a degree in classics, has written for satirical shows including The Thick of It and Have I Got News for You.
