A local Reform UK chief has claimed a Lib Dem "activist" put Nigel Farage "on trial" during a visit to a girls' school.
George Finch, leader of Warwickshire County Council, posted a statement on X on Tuesday in which he described feeling "furious" that Stratford Girls' Grammar School "allowed" John Sweeney to stage a trial of Mr Farage in front of pupils.
Council leader condemns 'partisan courtroom theatrics'
Mr Finch said in his statement that schools should not "stage partisan courtroom theatrics" against a "politician they may dislike". He added: "Political impartiality applied to Nigel Farage and Reform UK too".
According to Mr Finch's account, pupils were invited to find Mr Farage "guilty or not guilty" or seven "political and personal" charges based on a case advanced by Mr Sweeney.
The leader of Warwickshire County Council said Mr Sweeney acted as prosecutor while his partner, "worse still", acted as Mr Farage's defence in the supposed mock trial.
Warning over 'dangerous lesson' for children
He added: "We should be extremely careful about normalising the idea that Reform politicians are people to be put in the dock, or people to be stopped, rather than people whose arguments should be debated.
"That is a deeply dangerous lesson to teach children and it has consequences far beyond one classroom".
Mr Sweeney, Stratford Girls' Grammar School and the Lib Dems have been approached for comment.
Author's book and political background
A bestselling author and investigative journalist, Mr Sweeney's latest book is about the leader of Reform UK.
The work is entitled, The Real Nigel Farage: A Would-Be Prime Minister On Trial. It has won praise from Labour grandee Alastair Campbell, who is quoted on the front cover as saying Mr Farage "will hate" the book almost as much as he liked it.
Mr Sweeney stood for Sir Ed Davey's party at the 2024 general election, coming fourth with 2,587 votes in Sutton Coldfield, a seat the Conservatives held.
Reaction on social media
Some X-users signalled their support for Mr Finch, with one describing the reported classroom exercise as "disgusting". An X-user tweeting from an account named "mary" wrote in response to Mr Finch: "[T]hey are creating hatred towards particular parties through young people's eyes. If I was a parent there I'd be horrified".
To which they added: "Nigel Farage has been threatened and Anne Widdecombe murdered and the Lib Dems think this is acceptable to put Reform on trial in a girls' grammar school".
Another Reform supporting X-user, tweeting under the name "Sally", said: "Disgraceful. The headteacher of Stratford Girls' Grammar School should resign. Totally inappropriate".
Others were less supportive, including "Percy Toplis" who tweeted: "Victim, victim, victim. You lot need to grow up. We need leaders not woke cry-babies". Another, "JonnyG", wrote in response: "Oh no! Hurty words".
