Nigel Farage’s Clacton by-election victory rally ‘Farage Fest’ investigated

The organisers of Nigel Farage’s Clacton by-election victory rally – dubbed “Farage Fest” – are being investigated for failing to get permission to hold it in time

The organisers of Nigel Farage’s Clacton by-election victory rally – dubbed “Farage Fest” – are being investigated for failing to get permission to hold it.

The Reform UK leader faced criticism after he failed to show up for the result of the £250,000 contest he triggered earlier this month.

Instead he appeared in the early hours of the morning in the Essex countryside several miles from the count at a “Farage fest”, which boasted alcohol, ferris wheel, DJs and several fire pits. GB News was the only media outlet present.

Mr Farage called the event “Clactonbury” when he spoke to cheering fans from the stage. Fans had to pay to enter the event, but could camp and park for free.

Tendring District Council confirmed it had refused to grant a Late Temporary Event Notice (LTEN) as the application had not been made within the legal timescale required.

Mr Farage was re-elected as Clacton’s MP – after resigning from the role at the start of July – during the by-election earlier this month. All the other major political parties boycotted the race, branding it a “gimmick” and a “stunt” to try to distract from questions about a £5million gift Mr Farage received shortly before the 2024 general election. Mr Farage’s main rival was parody candidate Count Binface.

A Commons probe into the £5m gift Mr Farage received was suspended when he resigned as an MP. It was restarted when he was re-elected.

Lisa Hastings, Corporate Director for Law and Governance at Tendring District Council, said: “We can confirm that a Late Temporary Event Notice (Late TEN) was submitted in relation to an event on Thursday, 13 August, at Great Oakley Airfield.

“This notice was refused, and a counter-notice served, as it was not submitted within the statutory timescales required under the Licensing Act 2003. No authorisation was therefore granted under a Late Temporary Event Notice for the event.

“As the matter may now involve potential enforcement considerations, Tendring District Council is unable to comment further on any ongoing or potential investigations by Licensing or other council departments; nor provide any further details about the Late TEN submission.”

Reform UK spokesman: “Reform UK are confident that no rules were broken and the event was conducted in accordance with the law.”

Earlier today, Richard Tice earlier denied that Mr Farage is “hiding” despite him failing to make a public appearance since the Clacton by-election. Reform UK’s deputy leader said his boss is on “good form” and will be “plenty” out at the party’s annual conference in Birmingham next week.

Mr Tice said: “Nigel, I think, is 62. I’m not sure he’s ever been in hiding. He’s always on good form, and you’ll see plenty of him if you come to party conference. But I do just repeat the point we are a board team with a range of expertise, as you’re hearing about today. And Nigel specifically gave us these tasks. Myself, spokesman for business, trade, energy, including housing, so that we get stuck into some detail.”

Asked if Mr Farage had been interviewed by the Standards Commissioner, Mr Tice added: “But with regard to the Standards Commissioner, you know we’re getting to know him for a variety of reasons. That’s the nature of it. With regard to timing on that, that’s between Nigel and the Commissioners There are, of course, quite strict rules around we can say.”