Essex Police has said there were “no incidents or issues” surrounding the Clacton by-election count, directly contradicting Reform UK's claim that Nigel Farage was advised not to attend due to a credible threat. The Reform UK leader won the by-election, which he triggered by resigning as Clacton MP while facing scrutiny over donations from a cryptocurrency tycoon.
Reform UK's claim and official response
Mr Farage received 22,239 votes, a 62.8 per cent share, with his nearest competitor Count Binface taking 26.7 per cent. Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and Restore Britain all boycotted the contest, which Labour described as a “circus”.
While declaring victory hours before the result was announced, Mr Farage said he would not attend the count. A Reform UK spokesman said overnight: “Essex Police advised Nigel not to attend the count tonight due to a credible threat against him.”
That claim has been disputed. Ian Davidson, acting returning officer and chief executive at Tendring District Council, said there was a “robust” policing operation and that it was “a candidate's decision whether or not to attend”.
Police statement on the count
In a statement issued this morning, Essex Police said there were “no incidents or issues” during polling day or overnight as votes were counted. A force spokesperson said: “We have a full and robust policing operation in place around the Clacton by-election, as we do with all significant elections in our county.”
“Throughout polling day our officers were visible right across Clacton and the Tendring district. We visited all 51 polling stations, our officers were out and visible on foot, in vehicles and our drone team patrolled by air. Our aim was to ensure the people of Clacton were able to go about their daily business, that people were able to cast their vote safely and that the count took place without issue.”
“We are pleased to say all of these things happened and there were no incidents or issues throughout yesterday and into the early hours of this morning. We worked closely with Tendring District Council and their security teams throughout. We take the safety and security of our elected officials extremely seriously and, equally, we take our policing responsibilities around the democratic process seriously too.”
“The decision of candidates to attend or not attend the election count is a decision for individuals and their security teams, our role is to make sure our policing operation is sufficiently robust to ensure the safety of all, and we are grateful to all of our officers, staff and the staff at Tendring District Council who worked through the night to ensure the safety of all.”
Farage's comments and political reactions
Mr Farage attended a “Farage-fest” in the constituency while the count was taking place. He told supporters: “I’m sad to say that after 33 years of being a candidate in active politics, I’ve been advised tonight by Essex Police that there is an organised campaign to disrupt and degrade the result that will take place in a few hours’ time. Once again it shows you the sheer intolerance, the sheer loss of fundamental democratic principles that those that went before us, fought in world wars, to fight for and preserve.”
He added: “I’m not scared of these people, far from it. But I’m damned if I’m going to stand on a stage, having won a resounding victory, a ringing endorsement of all that I’ve tried to fight for, and you’ve tried to fight for, and be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies, and I will not sadly be attending the count.”
Reform MP Lee Anderson appeared on BBC Breakfast, saying he believed his leader over the authorities. “Sometimes some of these police forces that we’ve been dealing with recently are about as honest as you lot at the BBC,” he said. He added: “I’ve not spoken to Nigel about this. I’ve not spoken to Essex Police. If Nigel gets up on stage and says that he’s been advised not to attend the event, then I believe Nigel above the police, and especially above you lot at the BBC.”
Bridget Phillipson, chair of the Labour Party, told Sky News that viewers would “come to their own conclusions”. She said: “Well, of course, the safety of politicians is of the utmost importance and no-one should face threats or intimidation because of who they are and the job that they’re seeking to do.”
“I don’t know exactly what’s gone on here, but like you, I’ve heard what the police have had to say, that they’ve pushed back a bit on that suggestion, and I know that Nigel Farage is facing some criticism, even from within his own ranks, that he’s not, wasn’t, prepared to be at the count.”
“And, you know, those who are responsible for running counts and the police oversight of that, they’re used to dealing with high-profile situations. But, you know, I think people will come to their own conclusions. It’s hard to know. Nigel Farage has given one version of events and we’ve heard something a bit different from the police responsible.”
