Nigel Farage says Reform UK has won a by-election, but he does not attend the vote count. He claims he was told not to be present by police, according to reports about his decision.
Reform UK says it faced a “credible threat,” but the details of what prompted Farage’s refusal to attend differ by account. The Evening Standard reports that the Press Association understands Essex Police did not advise Farage not to attend the count, while other coverage describes his claim more directly. This leaves uncertainty over whether police communication was specific or whether Farage’s statement reflects concerns raised around security.
Across outlets, the central points remain that Farage publicly links his absence from the count to police guidance and that Reform UK points to a threat concern. However, the scope and existence of any police instruction—and how it is characterized—are not fully aligned in the available reporting.
