A community group founder has called on Nigel Farage to issue an apology after the Reform UK leader and his entourage entered its cafe unannounced, allegedly creating an intimidating atmosphere and taking photographs without permission.
Unannounced Visit During Celebration Event
Farage was campaigning in Makerfield when he and his team stopped at the Hamlet Wigan CIC, a cafe run by a community interest company that supports young adult trainees with additional needs. The visit occurred while the cafe was hosting a celebration for a dozen trainees who had received their gold Duke of Edinburgh award. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester and a candidate for the Makerfield parliamentary seat, was present as a longtime supporter of the venue.
Cafe Director's Letter of Complaint
Gemma Crompton, director of the Hamlet, wrote to Farage expressing concern over the visit. She stated: “While we have absolutely no issue with individuals from any political background visiting the Hamlet, the unannounced arrival of your campaign team, accompanied by a large entourage, security presence, and media crews, created an atmosphere that many of our trainees, families, staff and customers found intimidating and overwhelming.” Crompton requested a formal apology and assurances that similar incidents would not occur at other organisations supporting vulnerable people.
Reform UK's Response
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson, who was part of Farage's group, described the visit as spontaneous, saying they stopped for a “cuppa” and to use the toilet. He expressed confusion over the complaint, noting that Crompton had spoken with them, taken a selfie with Farage and the candidate Robert Kenyon, and thanked them for the visit. Reform UK later issued a statement claiming the visit was “completely ad hoc and non-political” and denied that unauthorised photography or filming had occurred. They also suggested that Crompton's letter may have been politically motivated.
Burnham's Reaction
Andy Burnham reportedly reacted strongly to the presence of a Daily Mail journalist accompanying Farage's entourage, accusing them of being “out of order” for entering such a venue unannounced. Burnham has been a supporter of the Hamlet, having spoken at the opening of its new buildings in 2023, and is featured on the cafe's website.
Crompton's Video Statement
In response to Anderson's comments, Crompton filmed a video outside Buckingham Palace, where she and the trainees were celebrating the Duke of Edinburgh awards. She reiterated that Burnham's visit had been without political agenda, with no cameras or media crew. She stated: “It was very overwhelming and a big party of a minimum of 15 people did come, walked into the cafe and started filming and taking pictures straight away. There was no consent given for using the Hamlet as a political environment.”
Burnham added: “They were all out of order and, if they had any decency, would now hold their hands up and apologise.”
