Reform UK's Herne Bay and Sandwich branch has apologised for an 'administrative oversight' after an AI-generated picture of road signs was posted on its Facebook page. The post featured before-and-after photos purportedly showing part of a village clean-up in Sarre, Kent, but the second image contained inconsistencies, including an extra fence slat, a resurfaced footpath, and the same car present in both photos.
Party Member Distances Himself from AI Image
A Reform party member who participated in the real 'Clean Up Britain Day' initiative in Sarre said he had no involvement with the AI-generated image. 'We spent an hour and a half cleaning and trimming the foliage,' he told Metro. 'It's gone f****** nuts. A simple job has turned into a political football. I swear it's only because it is Reform.'
Local Councillor Criticises Post
Canterbury City Councillor Mike Sole criticised the Facebook post, calling it 'a lesson in how not to use AI.' He pointed out the retarmacked pavement and unchanged clouds, adding: 'That's either super-human work in the blink of an eye, or Reform are not telling the truth…'
Branch Issues Apology
A statement posted on the branch's Facebook page said: 'The incorrect image previously posted to this Facebook page was selected and uploaded in error due to an administrative oversight. This local Facebook page is managed entirely by unpaid volunteers, independent of Reform UK HQ and its official PR team. While the image used was incorrect, the community cleanup work at the entrance to Sarre village did take place as described. We sincerely apologise for this mistake and for any confusion or misunderstanding it may have caused.'
Nigel Farage Resigns as MP
This incident comes as Reform leader Nigel Farage resigned as MP for Clacton-on-Sea to force a by-election, stating he would run again to 'stick two fingers up to the entire establishment.' The announcement was made amid questions over Reform UK's finances, including undisclosed payments from aristocrat George Cottrell, who served time in a US prison for wire fraud. Farage is accused of breaking parliamentary rules by failing to declare funding from Cottrell before his election. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner is also investigating allegations that Farage did not properly declare a 'gift' of £5 million from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in 2024.
Political Reactions
Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and the Conservatives have declined to nominate a candidate for the by-election, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelling the move as a 'desperate stunt' by a man 'up to his neck in sleaze.' Count Binface, however, has said he is willing to take on Farage. Questions remain as to whether Farage can resign until the commissioner's investigation is complete.
