Reform UK's annual conference was thrown into chaos after a donations scandal dominated the news agenda, but The Mirror was on hand to capture the gaffes, weird moments and sinister exchanges that might otherwise have been missed.
Free speech debate sees journalist ban defended
Nadine Dorries defended Reform's decision to bar critical journalists during a debate about free speech. The former Tory cabinet minister, who defected to Reform, labelled award-winning broadcaster and writer Michael Crick a "pain in the bum" and said he should be barred from all conferences. "He's only there to cause trouble and to try derail what's taking place at the time. I don't think Michael Crick should be able to attend any conference because he's there to cause trouble," she said. Also barred were Guardian journalist Anna Isaac, who exposed the £5million gift received by Nigel Farage, and investigative reporter Peter Geoghegan.
Chinese-made merch blunder
Reform's deputy Richard Tice opened the conference by attacking China while standing yards from a merch stand selling items manufactured there. Pointing at a bus on display at Birmingham's NEC, he said: "I don't want any Chinese buses in here please." But nearby, Farage fans could purchase caps, pendants and water bottles made in China, alongside caps from Bangladesh, hoodies from Pakistan and tote bags from India. Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson quipped: "I hear the Reform gift shop is quickly selling out of hypocrisy. But luckily for conference-goers, they have plenty of snake oil left over."
Lee Anderson lashes out at journalist
Reform chairman Lee Anderson, when asked about the donations scandal, retorted: "By the looks of your suit, you could do with some money, mate." He then refused to answer whether oysters, as Farage was filmed enjoying, were the breakfast of a man of the people. During Farage's speech, security escorted out a Mirror journalist who had been filming, confiscating her pass without explanation, though she was later allowed back after other Mirror journalists intervened.
Farage mocked by his own backdrop
Reform staffers were accused of making Farage look like a "complete laughing stock" after flashing up a sign saying "boring, boring, boring" behind him during his speech. When he faced hecklers, Farage shouted back "boring, boring, boring", a line that has become a meme. A Labour source told The Mirror: "Reform have made Farage look a complete laughing stock - gaffes like this just prove how unfit they are for high office." Labour's press team responded to a photo of Farage on stage, saying: "For once, we couldn't agree more." Lib Dem deputy leader also said: "At last! Farage saying something we can all agree with."
Call for 'wokeism' supporters to hang
A Reform member named Harry, from Romsey and Southampton North, used a platform in the main conference hall to call for people who pushed "wokeism" in the UK to be "made to hang". Addressing TV host Jeremy Kyle, he said: "If I'm reading this correctly, this may come across to the UK and those in the UK politically who have pushed wokeism for 20+ years, they must be made to hang. Is that a fair comment?" Mr Kyle replied: "I don't think the hang thing is a fair comment, to be fair."
Boris Johnson by-election claim dismissed
Reform's finance chief Nick Candy claimed Kemi Badenoch tried to get Boris Johnson to stand in the Clacton by-election. He told the Daily T podcast: "She [Badenoch] asked Boris to run in the Clacton by-election against Nigel, that is what I'm told. I don't know first hand. I actually haven't picked up the phone to Boris on it." A Tory source told The Mirror: "This is another nonsense story made up by Reform. No one has spoken to Boris about standing in any seat."
Flags and a £5million gift
Before his closing speech, Farage chatted with Jeremy Kyle in armchairs, showing off his Union Jack socks. Mr Kyle warned he could be "arrested" for wearing them in Birmingham. A delegate backing the flag told Farage he was fighting court battles over flags, and Farage ranted about the "anti-flag" campaign, jibing at Dame Emily Thornberry over her damehood, despite having accepted a £5million gift himself.
