Nigel Farage has been asked to apologise after an “intimidating and overwhelming” uninvited visit to a Wigan-based community cafe on their Makerfield by-election campaign trail.
Reform UK have been embroiled in a row regarding the behaviour of Mr Farage and other campaigners who stopped at a cafe run by the Hamlet Wigan Community Interest Company (CIC), which supports young adults with additional needs.
The director of the CIC, accused the group of putting “political publicity” before “safeguarding, dignity, and emotional wellbeing” by allegedly taking photos and videos without permission, and creating an “intimidating and overwhelming” atmosphere.
The letter was shared by Mayor of Greater Manchester and Makerfield by-election candidate Andy Bunrham, who also happened to be at the cafe during the incident.
“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.” the letter read.
“We are therefore requesting a formal apology regarding the way today’s visit was handled, alongside assurances that no other organisation supporting vulnerable people within the borough will experience a similar situation in future.”
Reform UK’s Lee Anderson criticised Ms Crompton’s letter, taking to social media to write: “I am confused as to why the lady sent the letter, as she sat with us talking to us all about the cafe and the challenges it faces. She then asked for a selfie with Rob and Nigel and thanked us for the visit. We then left.”
Mr Burnham was also at the cafe to attend a celebration after some of the trainees had achieved Duke of Edinburgh awards.
He hit out at Reform’s behaviour, writing on X as he shared Ms Crompton’s letter: “They were all out of order and, if they had any decency, would now hold their hands up and apologise.”
In response to Mr Anderson’s rebuttal of her letter, Ms Crompton said Mr Burnham was a long-standing supporter of the cafe and had “turned up with no political agenda”.
She then went on explain how Reform later entered the cafe, and said: “It was very overwhelming and a big party of a minimum of 15 people did come, walked into the cafe and started filming and taking pictures straight away.
“There was no consent given for using the Hamlet as a political environment and I don’t condone that at all. I asked for no pictures and media to be taken, once I knew they’d already started. When I turned away they continued to take pictures.”
In a letter responding to Ms Crompton, the party suggested her concerns may have been “politically influenced”, as they insisted Mr Farage and the party’s by-election candidate Robert Kenyon popped in for a cup of tea on a “completely ad hoc and non-political visit”.
“Both appreciated the opportunity to meet with you, learn more about the organisation, and hear about the important work you carry out,” they said.
“In light of this, we were surprised to receive your letter, particularly as the concerns you have now raised were not mentioned at any stage during your half-an-hour conversation with Nigel and Rob.”
The party said staff took selfies with both Mr Farage and Mr Kenyon, and disputed that any photographers took pictures on the premises.
It added: “The last thing either Nigel or Rob would ever wish to do is make anyone feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed.”
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