- Robert Jenrick has dismissed the disruption at Reform UK's annual conference in Birmingham, telling activists to “get a life” and responding boohoo to footage showing a female protester being dragged by her hair and struck with a walking stick.
- The interruptions took place at the National Exhibition Centre during Nigel Farage's keynote address, with activist group Climate Resistance claiming responsibility for the protest before demonstrators were ejected.
- West Midlands Police have asked the female protester to contact them directly so officers can carry out a formal investigation into the recorded assault, noting that no direct complaint has been submitted yet.
- Nigel Farage defended his supporters' actions by stating that criticism was one-sided, highlighting that he has previously faced physical disruption and assaults without similar outrage.
- Reform UK figures showed divided responses to the altercation, with home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf condemning members who pulled the protester's hair, while party chairman Lee Anderson suggested holding a whip-round for the man who hit her with a walking stick.
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