Nigel Farage has declared an "overwhelming" win in the Clacton by-election but is not attending the count "on the advice of police."
The Reform UK leader pre-empted the official announcement of the result by telling supporters he had secured more votes than when he won the seat at the 2024 general election.
Victory Speech and Police Advice
Mr Farage called the result a "convincing, overwhelming win" that would surpass the 21,225 votes he received just two years ago.
However, speaking at a "Farage Fest" event in Essex, he said he would dodge the traditional declaration of the results after being given notice of an "organised campaign" to "disrupt and degrade the result."
In his victory speech, Mr Farage said the result in Clacton would "stick two fingers up to the political establishment."
Background and Challengers
Mr Farage quit as an MP to fight a "people versus the establishment" by-election as he faced financial allegations surrounding a £5million donation and a parliamentary probe.
All of the main political parties boycotted the poll, leaving Mr Farage's most high-profile challenger as Count Binface - a self-described "intergalactic space warrior" dressed as a giant rubbish can.
