Protest at Reform UK conference leads to police inquiry and party condemnation
During Reform UK's annual conference in Birmingham, a woman protesting at the event was physically restrained by audience members, including hair pulling and being struck with a walking stick. West Midlands Police have asked the woman to contact them to aid an investigation, noting no formal complaint has yet been lodged. Reform UK’s home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf said the party condemns any punching, while party leader Nigel Farage argued the criticism of the incident is one‑sided. Several party figures have responded publicly, and the incident has intensified debate over protest tactics and event security.
Why it matters
The episode raises questions about the safety of protesters and the handling of dissent at political gatherings.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Address Commons on First Day Back
- Sep 4 National Rally leader Jordan Bardella delivered an English speech at Reform UK’s gathering, emphasizing tighter ties with the British party and joint immigration control.
- Sep 4 Bond yields surged to their fastest rise since the 2022 mini‑budget, wiping out £12 billion of fiscal headroom.
- Sep 4 Metropolitan Police began assessing the allegations.
- Sep 4 Reform UK invited Bardella to speak at its Birmingham conference.
- Sep 4 Farage called the allegations "loose pub talk" as Reform UK opened an internal inquiry and other parties referred the case to police.
- Sep 4 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”.
- Sep 5 Masked protesters have halted vehicle movement in and out of the Port of Dover, prompting police engagement and ferry operator adjustments.
- Sep 5 James Orr and Dan Jukes were permanently suspended from their positions after the undercover footage was broadcast.
- Sep 5 Roads to the Port of Dover were reopened after the protest was cleared.
- Sep 6 Dan Jukes and James Orr resigned pending an internal investigation.
- Sep 6 Burnham pledged to transfer failing utilities into public ownership.
- Sep 6 Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and minister Robert Jenrick publicly condemned the protest.
- Sep 6 West Midlands Police have issued a call for the protester to come forward to assist their inquiry.
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