Nigel Farage latest: Reform leader battles to contain donations scandal fallout as probe expected to widen

WorldPolitics
5 Sep 2026 • 3:38 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Nigel Farage latest: Reform leader battles to contain donations scandal fallout as probe expected to widen

Nigel Farage is battling to contain a fresh scandal into donations after footage appeared to show senior Reform figures discussing how to disguise donations from foreign sources.

Senior Reform officials James Orr and Dan Jukes have stepped down and the party launched an investigation after the report was broadcast by Channel 4 News.

Mr Farage claimed the allegations broadcast by Channel 4 that his party breached political donation rules have been made because “they’re scared of us”.

The allegations appear to have caused splits at the top of the party. Senior Reform figures have given conflicting accounts of whether the suspensions are permanent, or temporary and pending an investigation.

Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, has distanced himself from the two suspended men, telling reporters of the investigation: “It’s just not something I am personally involved in.”

The Times reports that these claims are expected to widen the police investigation which is examining donations worth £500,000 made to the party.

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Key Points

  • Reform UK won’t be distracted by ‘campaign of attacks”, Farage tells conference
  • Reform sources say counter terror police 'won't let Nigel on stage'
  • Reform UK reported to police over claims of funding rules breach in undercover sting
  • Farage says Reform has done nothing wrong
  • Allegations appear to cause splits at the top of Reform

Laila Cunningham receives double standing ovation as she closes out conference speech

14:29 , Millie Cooke

Laila Cunningham received a double standing ovation at Reform conference as she declared that the "people that broke" London "cannot be the ones to fix it".

There were loud cheers for Ms Cunningham as she set out her pitch for the capital and closed out her high energy speech - a marked change from the slightly downbeat tone at Reform's conference.

Laila Cunningham says she wants 'London to be a city where millionaires happen'

14:28 , Millie Cooke

More from Laila Cunningham:

Giving her pitch to be the next London mayor, she has said she wants "London to be a city where millionaires happen".

"I'm not standing for mayor merely to tell you what has gone wrong in London. I don't want to be another commentator commenting on decline. I want to be the person who ends it.", she said.

"I want to restore the promise London gave me and have my family. I want a child growing up in Kilburn to believe the thing which makes them different might one day become their strength.

"I want the woman sitting at her kitchen table with an idea to believe she can build the next great company."I want London to be a city where millionaires happen, where the nurse, the police officer, the teacher and the small business owner can afford a life."

Laila Cunningham says she wants 'criminals looking over their shoulders, not Londoners'

14:06 , Millie Cooke

Earlier at the conference was Laila Cunningham, who has said she will have a "zero tolerance" approach to crime if she becomes London Mayor.

She claimed Britain has reached a stage "where crime is excused", adding that Reform is "fighting for justice for the victims and not for the criminals".

She added: "When I say there will be zero tolerance for crime, I mean it.

"I'm running because I want criminals looking over their shoulders, not Londoners."

Protester could come forward after police appeal

13:55 , Millie Cooke

Activist group Climate Resistance have claimed responsibility for the protest during Nigel Farage’s speech yesterday, PA reports.

The group said it was “horrified at the violence” from Reform conference audience members, with a women having her hair pulled and her head grabbed.

The group also said the protester is considering whether to come forward to police.

Anderson accuses schools of 'brainwashing' children after he was compared to Mussolini

12:52 , Millie Cooke

Lee Anderson has accused schools in Britain of "brainwashing our children" after he was compared to dictator Benito Mussolini.

"Our schools, our education system are indoctrinating our children", Reform's chairman said. I visited a school in Ashfield a few months ago to check on the year 9 history lessons and on the wall they've got a chart. And on the chart it described different types of politicians.

"On the right hand side of the chart, it had words like 'far right, nazis, fascists'. And underneath, they've got some pictures: Mussolini, Oswald Mosley, me and Nigel [Farage]."

"You might find that mildly amusing but I tell you what, it's not mildly amusing to the thousands of people in Ashfield who voted for me at the last general election. Many of whose children are in that class still doing history.

"Imagine that kid going home and saying to his mum and dad, 'dad you voted for a nazi or a fascist or someone who is on the far right of politics.' Theyre brainwashing our children, these idiots. They must be stupid."

Anderson dubs 'refugees welcome' politicians 'idiots' who 'need to get a grip'

12:49 , Millie Cooke

Lee Anderson has dubbed politicians who believe refugees should be welcome in Britain "idiots" who "need to get a grip".

He told Reform's conference: "These idiots - and there's quite a few idiots at the moment in parliament - who say these young men crossing the channel are in genuine need, they need to get a grip."

And if they are that genuine, if they are doctors and engineers and scientists, why is it that these namby-pamby 'refugees welcome' politicians, once they're told that a nearby camp is going to house 1,200 illegal migrants they're suddenly up in arms?

"They're protesting saying 'its not suitable, we've not got the right infrastructure'. Absolute hypocrites the lot of them."

Reform's downbeat conference winds down

12:31 , Millie Cooke

Reform's downbeat conference feels much more subdued today as the event winds down after a chaotic few days of protesters, a media storm around Nigel Farage's closest aides and questions over whether the party is even remotely ready for government.

With just a few main stage speeches remaining, many journalists and lobbyists have already left.

Meanwhile, only around half of the fringe stages are in use this morning, with many of the smaller events having taken place yesterday.

Mr Farage will be hoping this afternoon's main stage speeches - given by both Suella Braverman and Malcolm Offord - are upbeat enough to make up for what has been a difficult conference and lift the mood as Reform attempts to draw a line under the chaos and damning allegations that have marred the party's leadership for months.

Lee Anderson appears to joke about protesters

12:15 , Millie Cooke

Lee Anderson appeared to joke about incident with the protester that was captured on video yesterday.

Speaking on the main stage, he said: "What about the few nuisances we had in the hall yesterday, the protesters. I did see an old chap - a pensioner somewhere with a walking stick - he got quite..."Look, I don't condone any sort of that behaviour but if anyone wants to have a quick whip round later we are collecting for a new walking stick."

It comes after West Midlands Police asked a protester who was thrown out of the Reform UK conference to come forward after footage showed audience members pulling her hair and grabbing her head.

The force said it had not received a direct complaint but asked the woman to make contact so officers can carry out further investigations.

Demonstrators were thrown out of the main conference hall four times at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, where Reform UK are holding their annual get-together.

A demonstrator shouts while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage delivers a keynote speech (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

More protesters removed by security

12:04 , Mille Cooke

More protesters have been removed by security from the NEC as Reform's conference enters its final day.

A woman was escorted out of the building and sent to join other protesters who were holding signs and chanting "fascist scum, off our streets".

It comes after Nigel Farage's main stage speech was interrupted by four protesters last night and delayed for more than an hour as a result of security concerns.

Yusef condemns hair-pulling incident

11:45 , Chris Stevenson

Zia Yusuf has condemned Reform UK members who pulled the hair of a heckler during Nigel Farage’s speech on Friday.

Asked whether he condemned the actions of some members who appeared in footage pulling the woman’s hair and grabbing her head, the party’s home affairs spokesman told a conference fringe event: “On the question of whether I condemn people punching people, yes I condemn people punching people.”

Police seek protester after footage shows Reform audience pulling hair

11:14 , Dan Haygarth

West Midlands Police have asked a protester who was thrown out of the Reform UK conference to come forward after footage showed audience members pulling her hair and grabbing her head.

The force said it had not received a direct complaint but asked the woman to make contact so officers can carry out further investigations.

Demonstrators were thrown out of the main conference hall four times at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, where Reform UK are holding their annual get-together.

They interrupted Nigel Farage’s keynote speech, shortly after his deputy Richard Tice had a banner displayed during his own address referencing the scandal around a donation to Mr Farage.

The Reform UK leader laughed during the disruption and said: “We’ve got a screamer. Oh dear.”

Addressing the conference hall, the Reform leader said, “that poor young girl, she looked like she was going to do herself an injury”, before adding, “boring, boring, boring”.

A statement from West Midlands Police said: “We’re aware of a video circulating from the Reform UK conference showing an incident with a protester.

“We haven’t received a complaint but would ask the woman involved to come forward and contact us so we can carry out enquiries.

“Anyone with any information should contact us on 101 quoting log number 924 of 5 September 2026.”

Activist group Climate Resistance claimed responsibility for the protest.

In a comment they said they were “horrified at the violence” from Reform conference audience members.

The group also said the protester is considering whether to come forward to police.

The end of the first main day of the Reform conference saw a series of protests disrupting speeches.

Full story: Nigel Farage fights for survival as new Reform sleaze scandal rocks party

10:57 , Dan Haygarth

An embattled Nigel Farage is fighting for his political survival as a major donations scandal completely overshadowed what Reform UK hoped would be a major comeback speech at its party conference in Birmingham.

Allegations that the party arranged illegal donations led to the resignation on Friday of Mr Farage’s chief of staff and longtime aide Dan Jukes, as well as policy director James Orr.

With the conference framed around Reform’s plans for its “first 100 days” in government, the discussion was knocked off course as Mr Farage was instead forced to answer questions on whether he could bounce back from another scandal.

Read the full report from yesterday below.

Nigel Farage fights for survival as new Reform sleaze scandal rocks party

Today's schedule at Reform conference in Birmingham

10:23 , Daniel Haygarth

Main stage schedule:

1200 Lee Anderson

1220 Laila Cunningham

1230 Robert Jenrick

1250 motions

1530 Malcolm Offord

1545 Suella Braverman

1600 Nigel Farage closing remarks.

Robert Jenrick to promise tax cut amid row over Reform donations

10:10 , Dan Haygarth

Robert Jenrick will pledge to raise the income tax threshold as Reform UK attempts to move on from allegations about its finances.

The party’s Treasury spokesman is expected to tell the final day of the Reform conference in Birmingham that he would increase the tax-free personal allowance to £15,000 within the first 100 days of taking office.

The threshold has been set at £12,570 since 2021 and is due to remain there until 2031.

Reform said the plan would save the average taxpayer £500 a year and take 2.9 million people out of income tax altogether, at a cost of £17.7 billion in its first year, rising to £21 billion five years later.

The party has previously said it wants to increase the personal allowance to £20,000, with Mr Jenrick expected to say he will approach the figure “step-by-step” when it is affordable.

Mr Jenrick will also use his speech to set out some £80 billion in spending cuts, primarily through slashing the welfare budget.

He is expected to say: “The hard choice for Burnham and for us is exactly the same. It’s either welfare waste, foreign aid and migrants — or the British worker. We choose the worker.”

Watch: Robert Jenrick bemoans ‘disappointing’ donations scandal

08:44 , Dan Haygarth

Allegations expected to widen police probe into Reform, Times reports

08:31 , Dan Haygarth

The Times reports that these allegations are expected to widen the police investigation which is examining donations worth £500,000 made to the party.

Police are investigating donations to Reform UK by a company controlled by the party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice.

The fundraising vehicle, Britain Means Business, reportedly made two donations of £250,000 in the run-up to the 2024 general election.

Mr Tice has said the money was paid to his company by Reform donor Fiona Cottrell - a significant donor to Reform UK and mother of a convicted fraudster with close links to Nigel Farage.

Allegations cause splits at the top of Reform

08:27 , Dan Haygarth

The allegations have caused splits at the top of the party. Senior Reform figures have given conflicting accounts of whether the suspensions are permanent, or temporary and pending an investigation.

Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, has distanced himself from the two suspended men, telling reporters of the investigation: “It’s just not something I am personally involved in.”

Reform UK’s deputy leader on Friday declined to rule out party advisers Dan Jukes and James Orr returning after an internal investigation.

Asked whether the pair could return, Richard Tice told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Let’s wait and see what the investigation says.”

Challenged over comments by Reform chairman Lee Anderson saying Mr Jukes and Mr Orr would not return, he added: “It’s not actually, in the nicest possible way, for any individual to make that determination until the investigation (finishes).”

Two Reform aides 'permanently suspended', Jenrick says

08:17 , Dan Haygarth

Two senior Reform UK aides are permanently suspended from their roles, Robert Jenrick has said, after undercover journalism appeared to show them discussing how to disguise foreign donations.

Senior Reform figures have given conflicting accounts of whether James Orr and Dan Jukes’ suspension is permanent, or temporary and pending an investigation.

Mr Jenrick told Times Radio: “They have been permanently suspended. There is obviously due process, and so there is going to be an investigation, and we want to learn all the facts, give them obviously a right of reply.

“But Nigel (Farage) has acted very swiftly, as soon as he saw the footage. Some of their comments, it’s fair to say, were very disappointing and inappropriate.”

Pressed on the nature of the suspension, Mr Jenrick said: “Well, they have left the conference. They’ve been suspended from their roles.”

Mr Jenrick was later asked whether he still believed leaving the Conservatives for Reform was worth it after the scrutiny his new party had faced in recent months, and told the broadcaster it was “one of the best decisions that I have ever made”.

Editorial: Andy Burnham must take his chance to bury Nigel Farage

08:15 , Dan Haygarth

Image from: Nigel Farage latest: Reform leader battles to contain donations scandal fallout as probe expected to widen

Andy Burnham must take his chance to bury Nigel Farage

Recap: Farage defends himself over allegations Reform broke laws

08:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage sought to defend himself over allegations Reform had broken laws on political donations as he addressed his party conference.

In a speech delayed by a “security alert” and interrupted four times by hecklers, Mr Farage vowed not to be “distracted” from his agenda by what he called a “highly co-ordinated campaign of attacks”.

The annual gathering at Birmingham’s NEC has been overshadowed by yet more allegations about party funding after Channel 4 broadcast footage that appeared to show senior Reform figures discussing how to disguise donations from foreign donors.

The footage was part of an investigation by undercover group Verbatim, who posed as an American donor and his son who had paid for polling allegedly commissioned by Reform and were seeking to channel money to Reform.

Accepting donations from a foreign company, including donations in kind such as polling, could constitute a criminal offence, and the party has been reported to the police.

Nigel Farage gave an upbeat conference performance despite the chaos engulfing the party (AFP/Getty)

Recap: Farage calls Burnham the 'Messiah without a mandate'

07:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage called Andy Burnham the “Messiah without a mandate”, as he predicts a General Election will take place next Spring.

The Reform UK leader blasted the Tories for their “failed” 14 years in government and highlighted that Andy Burnham “wants 10 more”.

He said his party will make changes within the first 100 days and if any of his ministers don’t meet their pledges within that timeframe, “they will be sacked”.

Recap: Reform UK claims allegations made by Channel 4 were made because 'they're scared of us'

06:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has claimed that the allegations broadcast by Channel 4 that his party breached political donation rules have been made because “they’re scared of us”.

Addressing Reform delegates at his party conference in Birmingham, he said: “Reform has broken no law. We take compliance extremely seriously.“And ask yourself, why is all of this happening? Anyone got a clue why it’s happening? Because they’re scared of us. That’s why it’s happening.

“And in my case, I’ve broken no laws, abused no public money. I haven’t even got a motorhome, believe you me.

“I’m accused of non-declaration of a personal gift, a personal gift that might just keep me alive.

“But I couldn’t wait forever. I couldn’t wait for six months or a year for this committee to decide. So I said, ‘Right. I tell you what, the voters of Clacton, they can be my judge.’ And the people of Clacton have decided with an emphatic win.”

 (AP)

Recap: Reform UK won’t be distracted by ‘campaign of attacks”, Farage tells conference

05:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage vowed not to be “distracted” by “a highly co-ordinated campaign of attacks”.

He told the Reform UK party conference: “We have been the subject of a highly co-ordinated campaign of attacks.

“In a sense, it’s not surprising. If you think about it, two parties have dominated British politics for over 100 years.

“And around them is a whole ecosystem of membership of the House of Lords, the issuance of government contracts, heads of quangos, and so much else, a whole ecosystem around the century-old two-party system.

“And we come along and threaten that. They were never going to come out with a tray of gin and tonics, I promise you.“But I promise you, we will not be distracted by any of this. We are absolutely determined in what we’re doing.”

Reform’s new donation scandal proves Farage’s party is completely out of control

04:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The hubris of Nigel Farage and senior figures in Reform appears to have finally caught up with them – and this time it could be fatal for their chances of winning an election.

The debacle, which played out on Channel 4 last night, saw Nigel Farage and two of his closest aides caught on video seemingly celebrating a potentially illegal foreign donation after a sting operation exposed the sheer dysfunction within Reform UK.

Putting aside any legal questions, which will now be investigated by the police, the private reaction from one close ally to what had happened was to bemoan the “sheer stupidity and arrogance” of it as well as a “complete disregard for morality and ethics”.

Image from: Nigel Farage latest: Reform leader battles to contain donations scandal fallout as probe expected to widen

Reform’s new donation scandal proves Farage’s party is completely out of control

British army ‘ordered to stop non-essential training exercises to save money’

03:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The British Army has reportedly been told to stop training personnel as financial pressures put the military under strain.

Units which are in the UK and are not preparing for specific deployment were ordered to halt “collective training”, it is understood.

Training with Challenger 2 tanks and Apache gunships are among those being cancelled, according to reports in The Times.

It comes as Andy Burnham is under pressure to increase defence spending from 2.5 per cent of national income next year.

Image from: Nigel Farage latest: Reform leader battles to contain donations scandal fallout as probe expected to widen

British army ‘ordered to stop non-essential training exercises to save money’

Climate Resistance behind disruption at Reform conference

02:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Activist group Climate Resistance said they were behind the disruption, adding protesters shouted “Nigel, you’re bankrolled by billionaires” and chanted “billionaire bootlickers” as they were removed by security.

Climate Resistance activist Katherine, 35, who was among several protesters removed from the hall, said Reform UK “need to come clean about who their backers are and what interests they actually work for”.

She told the Press Association: “We wanted to draw attention to the fact that Reform is backed almost exclusively by shady parties linked to fossil fuels, other extractive industries, and essentially that there’s a complete lack of transparency about their funding.”

Asked about Mr Farage’s description of the protest as “boring”, Katherine said: “I’m sure that Nigel Farage and Reform want to paint these questions as boring, but I don’t think that most people in this country see basic questions of accountability and transparency as boring issues.

“I think they’re core to our functioning democracy.”

Farage and Le Pen’s prodigy Bardella sign pact to ‘stop small boats forever’

01:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage and National Rally president Jordan Bardella signed a pact at Reform UK’s party conference in Birmingham that their leader vowed would “stop small boats forever.”

The "memorandum of understanding" pledge was revealed as Mr Farage claimed a new “entente cordiale” between the UK and France would be ushered in if Reform UK and National Rally win their next national elections.

Under the agreement, both parties have committed to collaborating on sending migrants back to France.

Image from: Nigel Farage latest: Reform leader battles to contain donations scandal fallout as probe expected to widen

Farage and Le Pen’s prodigy Bardella sign pact to ‘stop small boats forever’

Nigel Farage fights for survival as new Reform sleaze scandal rocks party

Saturday 5 September 2026 00:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

An embattled Nigel Farage is fighting for his political survival as a major donations scandal completely overshadowed what Reform UK hoped would be a major comeback speech at its party conference in Birmingham.

Allegations that the party arranged illegal donations led to the resignation on Friday of Mr Farage’s chief of staff and longtime aide Dan Jukes, as well as policy director James Orr.

With the conference framed around Reform’s plans for its “first 100 days” in government, the discussion was knocked off course as Mr Farage was instead forced to answer questions on whether he could bounce back from another scandal.

Nigel Farage fights for survival as new Reform sleaze scandal rocks party

The end of Nigel Farage is nigh… again

Friday 4 September 2026 23:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Mired in a new donations scandal, the Reform leader has become the Sisyphus of British politics, enjoying the success of pushing the rock up the mountain, only to crash again, says John Rentoul:

Ihad better be careful in pronouncing the end for Nigel Farage. I said on TV in 2014 that in five years’ time we will have forgotten who he was, as Farage himself delights in reminding me. There was no use saying I was 48 per cent right.

There is a chance that he might yet recover from this new donations scandal, that British politics will convulse again and make him look like enough of the answer to enough of the people – maybe little more than 30 per cent of them – to give him a majority in parliament at the next election.

But I really do think it is overwhelmingly likely that we are getting towards the end.

Image from: Nigel Farage latest: Reform leader battles to contain donations scandal fallout as probe expected to widen

The end of Nigel Farage is nigh… again

Farage's speech disrupted by hecklers

Friday 4 September 2026 22:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage’s keynote speech at the Reform UK party conference was interrupted numerous times by protesters.

Two women stood up in the conference hall at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre and held a banner reading “Reform works for billionaires”.

They were booed by audience members who shouted “out” and television footage showed a woman being carried out by security.

Mr Farage laughed during the disruption and said “We’ve got a screamer. Oh dear.”

Addressing the conference hall, the Reform leader said “that poor young girl, she looked like she was going to do herself an injury”, before adding “boring, boring, boring”.

 (AFP/Getty)

Watch: Farage interrupted by 'screamer' at Reform conference

Friday 4 September 2026 21:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Labour demands Reform’s Richard Tice investigated over alleged undeclared donation

Friday 4 September 2026 20:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Labour has called on Parliament's sleaze watchdog to investigate Reform UK’s Richard Tice over allegations of another unregistered donation to the party.

Labour chair Bridget Phillipson has written to Daniel Greenberg, Parliament’s commissioner for standards, to ask him to probe “a possible failure… to register a financial or material benefit within the period required” strict House of Commons rules.

In her letter Ms Phillipson points to reports that Fiona Cottrell, the mother of Nigel Farage’s close associate George Cottrell, who has been dubbed “posh George”, transferred more than £1m to Britain Means Business Ltd, a company owned and controlled by Mr Tice, after receiving $1.4 million from her son.

Image from: Nigel Farage latest: Reform leader battles to contain donations scandal fallout as probe expected to widen

Labour demand Reform’s Tice investigated over alleged undeclared donation

Cambridge University probe into James Orr after Reform donations sting

Friday 4 September 2026 20:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The University of Cambridge has launched a probe into associate professor James Orr after he was alleged to have breached political donation rules while working for Reform UK.

Mr Orr stepped down as Reform’s head of policy on Friday after claims he arranged to have polling paid for by an overseas company – an impermissible donor under electoral law – were revealed as part of an undercover investigation by Channel 4 and investigative group Verbatim.

A spokesperson for Cambridge University, where Mr Orr is an associate professor of Philosophy of Religion at Cambridge’s Faculty of Divinity, said: “The university is looking into these matters.”

Image from: Nigel Farage latest: Reform leader battles to contain donations scandal fallout as probe expected to widen

Cambridge University probe into James Orr after Reform donations sting

Reform reported to police over claims of funding rules breach in undercover sting

Friday 4 September 2026 19:47 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Reform UK has been reported to the police over allegations it breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company.

Nigel Farage’s party took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year costing £32,500, Channel 4 News reported.

The purported donors were in fact undercover reporters from investigative group Verbatim posing as an American financier and his UK-based son, who reportedly suggested they would be prepared to donate up to £500,000 to the party.

Image from: Nigel Farage latest: Reform leader battles to contain donations scandal fallout as probe expected to widen

Reform reported to police over claims of funding rules breach in undercover sting

Reform UK won’t be distracted by ‘campaign of attacks”, Farage tells conference

Friday 4 September 2026 19:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage vowed not to be “distracted” by “a highly co-ordinated campaign of attacks”.

He told the Reform UK party conference: “We have been the subject of a highly co-ordinated campaign of attacks.

“In a sense, it’s not surprising. If you think about it, two parties have dominated British politics for over 100 years.

“And around them is a whole ecosystem of membership of the House of Lords, the issuance of government contracts, heads of quangos, and so much else, a whole ecosystem around the century-old two-party system.

“And we come along and threaten that. They were never going to come out with a tray of gin and tonics, I promise you.“But I promise you, we will not be distracted by any of this. We are absolutely determined in what we’re doing.”

 (Getty)

Farage threatens get rid of the House of Lords

Friday 4 September 2026 19:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage has threatened to get rid of the House of Lords in a referendum if the upper chamber of Parliament does not pass a Reform government’s legislation.

The Reform leader made the proposal while speaking about his plans to call a “national emergency”, should his party win the next election.

Mr Farage told his party conference in Birmingham: “Parliament will sit, if necessary, for 24 hours a day, for six days a week until we pass the necessary legislation, and our policies will be explicit in our offering document to the British people.

“I expect the House of Lords to honour that, as they’ve done with the Salisbury Convention for over a century. But if they don’t, well we will present them with an idea.

“It’s not a new one, it has been used before. We’ll appoint hundreds of new peers so that we have a majority in the House of Lords.

“And if that proves difficult, we will hold a referendum on the current composition of the House of Lords, and they would be swept away by a British public appalled by them.”

Lib Dems ask Parliament's watchdog to investigate alleged donations to Reform

Friday 4 September 2026 18:42 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Liberal Democrats have asked Parliament’s standards watchdog to investigate allegations Nigel Farage’s aides sought to conceal impermissible donations to Reform UK.

Lisa Smart, the Lib Dems’ Cabinet Office spokeswoman, said in a letter to Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Daniel Greenberg that a report by Channel 4 News “demonstrated the lengths that close aides of Nigel Farage went to in order to facilitate an impermissible donation and to conceal it”.

She said: “Nigel Farage met personally with the undercover reporters, whom he understood to be prospective American donors, and was subsequently recorded praising the effectiveness of private polling that this funding had paid for.

“The activities, shown on camera, represent clear breaches of the law – specifically section 56 and 61 of PPERA (Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act).”

Watch: Farage interrupted by 'screamer' at Reform conference

Friday 4 September 2026 18:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Greenpeace claim responsibility for banner that interrupted Tice's speech

Friday 4 September 2026 18:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Greenpeace have claimed responsibility for the banner that interrupted Richard Tice’s speech at the Reform UK party conference in Birmingham.

Amy Cameron, programme director for Greenpeace UK, said: “Tice wants to celebrate this summer’s relentless heatwaves and droughts because they’re improving English sparkling wine.

“But the only thing being toasted in England is our farmland, and the only way you could miss that is if you’re paid not to notice.

“Reform disguise themselves as champions of ordinary people but they’re funded by billionaires who profit from keeping us hooked on oil and gas while the rest of us deal with the catastrophic climate consequences.

“When this summer’s searing temperatures give way to winter storms, 90% of homes in Tice’s own constituency, Boston and Skegness, will be at risk of flooding.

“We need to quit the expensive fossil fuels that are wrecking our climate. A more secure, independent energy future is within reach – we just need the politicians in the pocket of the oil and gas lobby to get out of the way.”

 (Reuters)

More pictures of protestors being removed

Friday 4 September 2026 17:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain  (Reuters) (Getty) (Reuters)

Reform UK claims allegations made by Channel 4 were made because 'they're scared of us'

Friday 4 September 2026 17:54 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has claimed that the allegations broadcast by Channel 4 that his party breached political donation rules have been made because “they’re scared of us”.

Addressing Reform delegates at his party conference in Birmingham, he said: “Reform has broken no law. We take compliance extremely seriously.“And ask yourself, why is all of this happening? Anyone got a clue why it’s happening? Because they’re scared of us. That’s why it’s happening.

“And in my case, I’ve broken no laws, abused no public money. I haven’t even got a motorhome, believe you me.

“I’m accused of non-declaration of a personal gift, a personal gift that might just keep me alive.

“But I couldn’t wait forever. I couldn’t wait for six months or a year for this committee to decide. So I said, ‘Right. I tell you what, the voters of Clacton, they can be my judge.’ And the people of Clacton have decided with an emphatic win.”

 (PA)

Farage pledges to broaden Reform's expertise in defence and health

Friday 4 September 2026 17:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage has pledged to Reform UK members he will broaden the party’s expertise in defence, health and other important areas of policy.

Speaking at Reform’s party conference in Birmingham, he said: “Now we have frontline experience, now we have frontline people speaking for us in the UK: Scotland, Wales, England.

“But we’ve more to do. There are more big jobs to fill, and I’m looking and working on defence, health, and the other areas, and we will get there.“We will get there soon.”

 (AP)

Picture shows security removing protestor from Reform conference

Friday 4 September 2026 17:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Security removed several hecklers from the Reform conference during Nigel Farage’s speech.

 (Reuters) (Reuters)

Second heckler removed during Farage's speech

Friday 4 September 2026 17:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Another heckler has been removed from the conference, as Nigel Farage again shouted: “Boring.”

He then joked he will put the “price of the tickets up next year”.

Farage calls Burnham the 'Messiah without a mandate'

Friday 4 September 2026 17:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage called Andy Burnham the “Messiah without a mandate”, as he predicts a General Election will take place next Spring.

The Reform UK leader blasted the Tories for their “failed” 14 years in government and highlighted that Andy Burnham “wants 10 more”.

He said his party will make changes within the first 100 days and if any of his ministers don’t meet their pledges within that timeframe, “they will be sacked”.

'We've got a screamer'

Friday 4 September 2026 17:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A person has begun shouting in the audience, as Nigel Farage immediately said: “We’ve got a screamer.”

The crowd then went on to boo and chant “Out!” as it appears the person has been removed.

Nigel Farage finally takes the stage after 'security scare'

Friday 4 September 2026 17:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage is finally allowed to take the stage, following a reported security scare.

The Reform UK leader walked on to the stage with his arms in the air, waving at the crowd as fireworks and smoked added to the drama of his entrance.

 (AP)

Nigel Farage is 'having a dance with members'

Friday 4 September 2026 17:17 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Nigel Farage is currently "having a dance" with party members, a senior Reform source has said, insisting that counter terror police are still barring the party leader from going on stage.

Mr Farage is currently in the crowd with the audience as loud music plays throughout the hall.

Reform sources say counter terror police 'won't let Nigel on stage'

Friday 4 September 2026 17:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Our political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Nigel Farage's main stage speech has been delayed because of a security scare, party sources have suggested.

After security staff were seen searching underneath the stage, Reform sources have said "counter terror cops won't let him on stage".

Security seen searching underneath conference stage as Farage speech put on hold

Friday 4 September 2026 16:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Our political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

The Reform conference has been thrown into disarray as Nigel Farage's long awaited speech - which has already been delayed by more than an hour - has been put on hold.

Security is currently searching underneath the stage, triggering speculation that the speech has been pushed back as a result of security concerns.

Journalists and party members are waiting in a dark conference room with music blasting - with no clue when the Reform leader will give his address.

Members were told that proceedings would need to be paused due to "unforeseen circumstances", but it is not yet known what those are.

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