Reform UK has been forced to delay its rally by an hour after members faced down protesters outside the Utility Arena in Birmingham.
Ex-Brexit Party MEP David Bull, who was expected to open the event at 6.30pm, only took to the stage at 7.30pm.
Confirming the delay, Reform UK said: “Due to protestors outside, we will be starting our livestream from Arena Birmingham at the later time of 7.30pm.”
It has been estimated that 10,000 tickets have been sold for tonight’s Local Elections launch, with Reform UK insiders describing the event as the “biggest ever launch rally in modern British political history”.
Nigel Farage will use the event to deliver a speech “like nothing you’ve ever seen before”, figures close to the Reform UK leader have claimed.
Reform UK bigwigs Zia Yusuf, Lee Anderson and Richard Tice will also deliver speeches at the event.
However, the speeches were pushed back by an hour after anti-Brexit protesters joined forces with masked demonstrators in Birmingham.
One banner read: “No borders, no binaries.”
Protesters were also heard chanting: “Nigel Farage kiss my a**e, you’re a puppet of the ruling class.”
Anti-Farage protesters had vowed to make Reform UK members to arrive to a “wall of noise” in Birmingham.
There were two anti-Reform UK events scheduled ahead of tonight’s rally.
One protest is being held under the banner Birmingham United Against Racism and is coordinated by anti-racist campaigners, community groups, and trade unions including Birmingham Race Impact Group, Stand Up to Racism and Kings Heath United Against Racism.
However, a separate event, hosted by Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana, raised eyebrows.
The “No Thanks, Nigel” event, which is also being attended by former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, sparked outrage
