The director of a community cafe run by people with special needs has demanded an apology from Nigel Farage after the Reform UK leader and his entourage entered the venue unannounced, creating an 'intimidating and overwhelming' atmosphere. Gemma Crompton, who runs the Hamlet Wigan CIC, said the group took photographs and videos without permission during a celebration for trainees who had attained their Duke of Edinburgh gold award.
Farage was campaigning in Makerfield when he and his team stopped at the cafe for tea and to use the toilets. At the time, the cafe was hosting a dozen trainees and their families, along with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, a longtime supporter. Crompton wrote to Farage requesting a formal apology, stating that the unannounced arrival of his campaign team, security, and media crews was intimidating.
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson, who was part of the group, said the visit was spontaneous and non-political, and claimed Crompton had taken a selfie with Farage and thanked them. However, Crompton denied this, saying she asked for no pictures after they had already started filming. Burnham described the visit as 'out of order' and called for an apology.
Reform UK responded that the visit was 'ad hoc and non-political,' and accused Crompton's letter of being politically influenced. Crompton insisted the cafe is not a political platform and said Burnham had attended alone with no cameras, unlike the Reform group.
