Nigel Farage says he won't attend Clacton by

NIGEL Farage has said he will not be attending the Clacton by-election count due to "police advice". The Reform UK leader claimed in a speech in which he declared victory over joke candidate Count Binface that there was an “organised campaign” plot to “humiliate him” on stage. The contest, which was triggered after Farage quit as MP amid pressure over a £5m donation from a crypto billionaire, is estimated to have cost taxpayers about £250,000 with the longest-ever list of candidates, 34. Acting returning officer for Tendring District Council Ian Davidson said extra staff and resources had been put on to deal with the election. READ MORE: Reform UK hold 'tragic' Clacton by-election party dubbed 'Farage Fest' Photographers and TV cameras covering the count had been advised by officials they will need a wide-angle lens to fit all the candidates into a single shot. Speaking at an event in Essex ahead of the result being officially announced, 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.” Farage then 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.” The acting returning officer in Clacton, however, said he believes the count can be delivered safely. Davidson said in a statement: “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.” He continued: “However I want to reassure people we have no reason not to proceed with the count process at this time.” Share