At least one person has been injured as far-left protesters clash with supporters at ‘s rally in Cornwall tonight.
Demonstrators gathering outside the conference have been filmed chanting “Nazi scum off our streets!”
Campaigners from Resists erupted outside of Carn Brea Leisure Centre as they wore face coverings and held signs saying: “Nasty Nigel in bed with facism”.
Seventeen protest groups had planned to come together with the aim of staging a “noisy” demonstration in Redruth, Cornwall this afternoon. According to their Facebook page, they hoped to shut down Reform’s rally, which began at 6pm.
The demonstrators urged attendees to wear masks to hide their identity and “don’t talk to cops”.
Far-left protesters gather outside of Reform UK’s Cornwall conference (Image: Hugh Hastings/Getty Images)
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The anti-Reform campaigners can be heard shouting “Nazi scum off our streets” and “Nazi traitors off our streets”. Banners saying “St Piran was a refugee” were flying, making reference to the fifth-century Cornish abbot and saint who is believed to be of Irish origin.
Reform UK has been travelling around the UK, holding rallies to increase its fast-growing membership of over 210,000 people.
Speaking to Cornwall Live, said being met with protesters so angry “is very, very rare”.
“We’re used to name-calling and a few eggs being thrown, but this was Antifa,” he said. “Somebody has already had their tooth knocked out. These are very nasty, dangerous people.”
Mr Farage added that this was “unacceptable at every level”.
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Protesters clash with police outside of the conference (Image: Hugh Hastings/Getty Images)
“I have to say I am not happy with the Cheif Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police because the argument – that we don’t intervene until things have gone wrong as opposed to policing being preventative…I’m pretty appalled frankly. I tour the country repeatedly and most would stop that,” he added.
The rally this evening holds an audience of 700 members with key Reform figures speaking to supporters. Party Chairman Zia Yusuf has kicked off the talks as their membership tracker displayed on social media live streams increases. Ex-MP Ann Widdecombe and the party leader are also expected to speak soon.