Nigel Farage says he won't attend count in bizarre Clacton by-election

Right-wing political figure Nigel Farage has declared he will not be present at the official count for the Clacton by-election, breaking with UK tradition. Farage informed his supporters that he would skip the event where candidates typically gather as the final results are announced.

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The verdict has now come in … you haven't heard it yet.

Hours before the count concluded, Farage addressed a room of Reform UK supporters, proclaiming a "convincing overwhelming win" without offering any evidence to substantiate his claim. He stated there would be "no question" about the outcome, prompting cheers from the crowd chanting his name. Farage then announced his decision not to attend the count, citing what he described as an "organised campaign to disrupt and degrade" the result.

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It is a convincing overwhelming win

Following Farage's speech, a spokesperson for Reform UK elaborated on his absence, suggesting concerns extended beyond mere "humiliation." The spokesperson indicated there was a "credible threat against him" at the count, though further details were not provided.

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I am damned if I am going to stand on a stage, having won a resounding victory … and be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies.

In response to Farage's claims, the acting returning officer for the by-election, Ian Davidson, denied any issues with the counting process. He stated that authorities had been working closely with Essex Police and confirmed there were no impediments to completing the count that night. The by-election saw Farage frame the contest as a "people versus the establishment" battle, competing against a large field of candidates, including the political satirist known as Count Binface.

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I will not, sadly, be attending the count.