Reform UK splits emerge as Farage skips victory declaration, drawing internal criticism

Published Aug 14, 06:37 AM UTC

Nigel Farage won a comfortable victory in the Clacton by-election with 63% of the vote, but internal splits within Reform UK have become public. Farage did not attend the result declaration, citing a credible security threat from Essex Police, a claim the police denied. He later told supporters he wanted to avoid being 'demeaned and humiliated by nobodies' on stage. Senior party figure Tim Montgomerie, a former Conservative defector, publicly criticized Farage's absence, saying it distracted from his win and projected an 'aggrieved tone.' A Reform source called it 'not a good look,' while deputy leader Richard Tice defended the decision on security grounds. The by-election was triggered after Farage resigned as MP following an investigation into a undeclared £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire. Major parties did not field candidates.