Nigel Farage says he won’t attend count in Clacton byelection against Count Binface - UK politics live

Nigel Farage announced he will skip the Clacton byelection count, stating Essex police advised him of a plot to embarrass him during the results announcement. The Reform UK leader preemptively declared a "convincing, overwhelming win" for himself, predicting he would surpass the 21,225 votes he received in the 2024 general election.

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I want to communicate to Abhijeet Dipke and Sourav Das that our interests are the same as theirs, to protect the rights of the students.

Farage made these remarks at a Reform UK event in Essex. He explained his decision not to attend the traditional declaration of results was due to being notified of an "organised campaign" intended to "disrupt and degrade the result." The acting returning officer confirmed it was Farage's personal choice whether to attend.

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convincing, overwhelming win

The byelection was triggered after Farage resigned as the MP for Clacton in early July. He claimed the resignation was to address complaints about a growing scandal involving gifts he received. However, political leaders across the spectrum have labeled his move a "desperate stunt" to evade scrutiny.

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organised campaign

Farage is expected to face a formal investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog. This investigation, opened in May, stems from a Guardian report revealing he received a £5 million personal gift from a Thailand-based crypto billionaire in April 2024. Farage has denied the gift was an inducement to run for office, asserting it was personal and intended for his security and as a reward for Brexit, though he has offered various explanations.

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disrupt and degrade the result