A charity director has demanded an apology from Reform UK after Nigel Farage's unannounced visit to a cafe run by young adults with additional needs, describing it as 'intimidating and overwhelming'.
Charity Boss Expresses 'Deep Disappointment'
Gemma Crompton, director of The Hamlet Wigan Community Interest Company (CIC), expressed 'deep disappointment' that the Reform leader turned up with a large entourage, including a camera crew, who took photos and filmed without permission. The cafe has clear signage prohibiting photography of trainees for safeguarding reasons.
In a letter to Mr Farage, she stated: 'While we have absolutely no issue with individuals from any political background visiting the Hamlet, the unannounced arrival of your campaign team, accompanied by a large entourage, security presence, and media crews, created an atmosphere that many of our trainees, families, staff, and customers found intimidating and overwhelming.'
She added: 'Organisations supporting vulnerable young adults should never be placed in a position where political leaders and campaign teams arrive unannounced with significant media presence and security personnel.'
Incident During By-Election Campaign
Mr Farage was on the campaign trail with Makerfield by-election candidate Robert Kenyon when they stopped at the cafe. The situation escalated when a Daily Mail reporter accompanying Mr Farage approached Andy Burnham, who was attending a separate event at the centre to recognise trainees who had completed their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
Mr Burnham, a long-time supporter of the charity, reportedly told the reporter off, saying: 'You don't go into a place like that unannounced, you're out of order there.' He later accused the Mail of reporting a 'partial version of events' and called for an apology.
Reform UK's Response
In a response letter, Reform UK defended the visit, stating it was 'completely ad hoc and non-political' and that staff took selfies with Mr Farage and Mr Kenyon. The letter said: 'Throughout the visit, they were met with a warm welcome, with you and other staff even taking selfies with Nigel and Rob. Rest assured that our photographers took no photographs on the premises.'
Reform added that the tone of Ms Crompton's letter 'gives rise to the impression that it is politically influenced, unlike our visit which was made in good faith and without political motivation.'
