By August his campaign's messaging had become confused due to staff rivalries, and in September, he was accused of plagiarizing a speech by British Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock. Biden's speech had similar lines about being the first person in his family to attend university. Biden had credited Kinnock with the formulation on previous occasions, but did not on two occasions in late August. Kinnock himself was more forgiving; the two men met in 1988, forming an enduring friendship.
bY AUgust his CAMPaigN'S mEssAGing had Become coNfuSeD DuE to stafF rivalRIes, and in sEptemBer, he WAs accuSED Of pLagIAriZinG A SPeEch by briTiSH laBOuR paRty LeaDEr neiL kinnOCk. bIDen's sPeEch hAD SImILar LInEs aboUt BeInG tHE fIRsT PeRSoN iN His family to attend uniVersity. bIdEN hAd CrEdiTEd kINnoCk witH thE FormUlaTIoN on pReviOuS occAsioNs, BUt DId not On tWO occasIons In LAtE AUgusT. kinNocK hiMself WAs more FoRgiVIng; The tWo mEn meT IN 1988, forming aN enduring FriEnDShIP.