Clacton by-election LIVE: Nigel Farage shuns count after ‘advice from Essex Police’
Nigel Farage has declared an "overwhelming" win in the Clacton by-election - but is not attending the count "on the advise of police".
The Reform UK leader pre-empted the official announcement of the result by telling supporters he had secured more votes than when he won the seat at the 2024 general election.
Mr Farage called the result a “convincing, overwhelming win” that would surpass the 21,225 votes he received just two years ago.
However, speaking at a “Farage Fest” event in Essex, he said he would dodge the traditional declaration of the results after being given notice of an “organised campaign” to “disrupt and degrade the result”.
In his victory speech, Mr Farage said the result in Clacton would “stick two fingers up to the political establishment”.
Mr Farage quit as an MP to fight a “people versus the establishment” by-election as he faced financial allegations surrounding a £5million donation and a parliamentary probe.
All of the main political parties boycotted the poll, leaving Mr Farage’s most high-profile challenger as Count Binface - a self-described “intergalactic space warrior” dressed as a giant rubbish can.
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Why was the by-election called?
Nigel Farage triggered the by-election by quitting as MP for Clacton.
The Reform UK leader announced on July 7 that he was resigning from Parliament, accusing “the Establishment” and the media of targeting him over his financial affairs.
He urged voters in Clacton to use the by-election to "stick two fingers up at the establishment".
His critics say his move was because he was coming under increasing pressure over his financial affairs including from a probe by Parliament’s standards commissioner into a £5 million crypto donation.
Mr Farage denies any wrongdoing.
Returning officer: 'No reason not to proceed with count'
Acting returning officer for the by-election, chief executive of Tendring District Council Ian Davidson has said there is a “robust policing operation” in place.
He told the count after Mr Farage’s speech: “We work very closely with Essex Police and have done so throughout this process, and continue to do so tonight, and we will be continuing the count, as we always do, in a safe and secure manner.”
In a later statement, Mr Davidson said: “We have worked closely with Essex Police colleagues to ensure the election process is completed safely and securely, as is evident from the level of security we have in place here today.
“This includes a robust policing operation throughout the day and including at the count.
“It is a candidate’s decision whether or not to attend the count.
“However I want to reassure people we have no reason not to proceed with the count process at this time.”
Farage shuns Clacton by-election count after ‘advice from Essex Police’
Nigel Farage has said he will not attend the Clacton by-election count after advice from Essex Police about a plot to embarrass him on stage during the announcement of the result.
Speaking at a “Farage Fest” event in Essex, organised by Reform UK, that he would dodge the traditional declaration of the results after being given notice of an “organised campaign” to “disrupt and degrade the result”.
Mr Farage said: “I’m sad to say that after 33 years of being a candidate in active politics, I’ve been advised tonight by Essex Police that there is an organised campaign to disrupt and degrade the result that will take place in a few hours’ time.
“Once again it shows you the sheer intolerance, the sheer loss of fundamental democratic principles that those that went before us, fought in world wars, to fight for and preserve.”
Mr Farage added: “I’m not scared of these people, far from it. But I’m damned if I’m going to stand on a stage, having won a resounding victory, a ringing endorsement of all that I’ve tried to fight for, and you’ve tried to fight for, and be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies, and I will not sadly be attending the count.”
Good morning
Welcome to our live coverage of the Clacton by-election result.
Counting is under way in the Essex seaside town in a contest that has pitted Reform UK leader Nigel Farage against an array of fringe candidates - including a man with a bin on his head.
Stay with us as we bring you the build up to the declaration, the result and all the reaction.
