Nigel Farage’s speech at Reform conference in Birmingham delayed over ‘security scare’

REFORM sources say Nigel Farage’s party conference speech was delayed after “counter-terror cops wouldn’t let him on stage.” Mr Farage’s speech at the Reform UK conference in Birmingham began almost an hour late. A banner appeared behind Richard Tice while he delivered his speech earlier in the evening Credit: Reuters Counter terror cops were seen on the stage Credit: Jack Elsom The leader failed to appear and deliver his remarks before security personnel and a search dog were seen gathering behind the stage. Counter-terror cops were also seen in the venue with several stepping up onto the stage as the speech was stalled. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Mr Farage was spotted off to the side smiling and laughing with his close aides while security teams and cops stood on stage in his place. A number of people were reportedly dragged from the hall after Mr Farage finally began speaking and was immediately interrupted by someone shouting. Mr Farage was seen at the edge of the stage laughing with aides as the speech was delayed Sniffer dogs and security staff gathered on the stage Credit: PA Just as he began, a woman could be heard heckling him with Mr Farage responding: “Oh, have we got a screamer?” The heckler was booed by audience members who shouted “out” over and over. The crowd and the party leader then began a chant of “boring, boring” before a woman was removed from the hall. Finally speaking uninterrupted, Mr Farage said his speech was delayed because of a “security alert.” Most read in The Sun Mr Farage added: “I’m sorry we were delayed, it was a security alert and I was told, for security reasons, I couldn’t take the stage. That’s why we had a delay. “So, I decided instead to come among you and sing and dance, and it worked out pretty well I think in the end.” Events in the main hall at the Reform UK party conference were earlier paused due to “unforeseen circumstances”, former party chairman David Bull told delegates. A banner appeared behind Richard Tice reading “Collect £5 million, burn the planet” during his earlier speech. Sniffer dogs were reportedly brought in after the banner was unfurled with Mr Farage’s remarks then delayed. The banner, which also depicted Nigel Farage in a top hat and carrying a bag of money, remained visible for several minutes before being taken down. It references a payment the Reform UK leader received before the 2024 general election. An investigation into whether Mr Farage should have declared the £5million donation has been launched, but the Reform UK leader insists he has done nothing wrong. Security reportedly worked to remove several repeated hecklers from the crowd as Mr Farage’s speech went ahead. His delayed remarks have now been interrupted several times by shouts from the crowd. The speech is at risk of descending into chaos amid continued interruptions. Mr Farage has claimed that the donations row he is engulfed in is the result of a hard-left smear campaign. He insisted he’s “broken no laws” following an undercover Channel 4 investigation into his party’s donation practice. Reform UK has been “the subject of a highly coordinated campaign of attacks”, he claimed. Comment now