Richard Tice, the Reform UK MP, clashed with Kate Garraway on Good Morning Britain after she challenged his claims about Nigel Farage's decision to skip the Clacton by-election count. Tice, 61, told Garraway to "get a grip" during the heated exchange.
Safety claim questioned
The conversation turned to why Farage, who won the seat, became the first victorious candidate since 1981 to miss the count. Farage had said he stayed away because Essex Police warned his safety was at risk.
Garraway responded: "What we've been told is that Essex police didn't tell anybody not to go, so what we want to work out is what's in the mind on the level of concern of those around him and where the information came from."
Tice's furious response
Tice angrily replied: "Seriously, I think you need to get a grip. I'm talking about Nigel's safety, security and remaining alive and you're playing on words by different people who might be giving advice."
Co-host Ranvir Singh interjected, noting it was "not minor words" but a statement from a Reform UK spokesperson who told reporters that Essex Police advised Farage to stay away. "That's a very clear statement from Reform UK to a reporter overnight," she added. "So we're just trying to clarify."
Interview 'wasted'?
Tice fumed that they were "wasting this interview" by focusing on safety, which he called "less relevant than the result". Farage secured 22,239 votes in the by-election, with turnout at just over 44.4 percent. Parody candidate Count Binface also drew thousands of votes.
When Garraway said the safety concern was relevant, Tice added: "Why are you questioning our judgement? Honestly I find it astonishing that you are questioning the judgement of our security team."
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson also weighed in on BBC Breakfast, suggesting police had not been honest: "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."
Essex Police said it had "a proportionate and robust policing operation to ensure the safety and security of all participants" at the count. A spokesperson added: "We have a proportionate and robust policing operation to ensure the safety and security of all participants in the count."
