Investigation launched into 'Farage Fest' on night of Clacton by-election
Council says the refused notice left organisers without permission for the invite-only rally that drew hundreds and featured live music, alcohol and a Ferris wheel.
- Tendring District Council confirmed on Tuesday it is investigating 'Farage Fest,' a victory rally for Nigel Farage held at Great Oakley Airfield on August 13, after the event proceeded without required Late Temporary Event Notice authorization.
- Farage did not attend the Clacton election count on August 13 despite winning re-election with an increased majority, instead spending the night at the celebration; organizers submitted their Late Temporary Event Notice application after the statutory five-working-day deadline required under the Licensing Act 2003.
- Reform stated the event was private and 'confident that no rules were broken,' though attendees enjoyed live music, alcohol, and a Ferris wheel after paying entry fees. Farage told supporters Friday morning, 'Welcome to Clactonbury.'
- Lisa Hastings, corporate director for law and governance at Tendring District Council, confirmed 'No authorisation was granted under a LTEN for the event.' Potential penalties for organizers range from fines to custodial sentences if prosecuted.
- Critics speculated the celebration allowed Farage to avoid the official election count, a theory bolstered by academic commentator Anton Mittens, who predicted earlier this month the event could face licensing trouble. No confirmed licence application appeared on Tendring council's website as of August 16.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Reform’s Farage Fest is under investigation
On Thursday 13 August, Nigel Farage successfully beat Count Binface in the Clacton by-election. As Count Binface is a novelty character, Farage didn’t have much to celebrate here. Despite this, he threw a mini-festival that evening dubbed ‘Farage Fest’. Now, said festival is under investigation from the local council after it emerged the organisers had […] By Willem Moore
'Farage Fest' organisers face fine after taking place without council permission
A party to mark Nigel Farage’s by-election victory in Clacton took place without the local council's permission. The invitation-only mini-festival on Great Oakley Airfield in Essex, nicknamed "Clacton-bury" or "Farage Fest" featured live music, alcohol and a Ferris wheel. It was the only place the Reform UK leader spoke on the night, as the Clacton MP declined to attend the official vote count. Now, Tendring District Council has confirmed a late…
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