A Reform UK Christmas event in Croydon has been cancelled after a campaign by the left-wing group Stand Up to Racism prompted a local hotel to axe the event.
Speaking to GB News, Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice condemned the decision to ban festive celebrations after a hotel venue “reneged” on the contract with the party.
The fundraiser was due to take place on Thursday, but now Nigel Farage’s party has claimed it is “too late” to find another venue.
“What they’ve done actually is they and another group have bullied the owner of this venue and essentially forced him to renege on a signed contract,” Mr Tice fumed.
More than 200 tickets to Reform’s supporters were sold, and “well over £20,000 of revenues had been contracted and entered into” ahead of the cancellation.
“The security said there were no issues. The police said there were no issues. And so this is just appalling. It’s an attack on free speech. It’s the thin end of the wedge.
“Unless we put a marker down and that marker is we will sue this venue owner and any other venue owner that basically reneges on a signed contract.
“This is an absolute outrage. And people have to be they have to realise that it’s not North Korea.
The event was originally planned to take place in south London
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“Democracy requires debate and discussion and, and political parties are allowed to have Christmas parties.
“We’re outraged by this – absolutely outraged – with just three days’ notice.”
Reform’s deputy leader also speculated that it could be down to “desperate actions by desperate people in a desperate position” due to Nigel Farage’s success in the polls.
“This is the kind of cancel culture that Reform UK, before the Brexit Party, Ukip, has faced for many, many years.”
The event was originally planned to take place at the Grand Sapphire Hotel in Croydon
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Mr Tice also accused the venue owner of “allowing himself to be bulled into this”, demanding that people “have some courage and stand up for democracy”.
“Why not go after the people who use our pressuring him?” Martin responded.
“Because we’ve got a contract with the venue owner. It’s the venue owner that basically has bottled it and allowed himself to be bullied, when the police said no problem at all, our own security said no problem at all.
“It’s just simply unacceptable,” Mr Tice raged.
“Whatever political views you have, you know, we believe in a democracy in debate, free speech and occasionally the right to have a bit of a party,” the Boston and Skegness MP joked.
“I mean, it is Christmas, for heaven’s sake.”
The fundraising dinner was previously planned to take place at the banqueting venue on Thursday December 4, costing attendees up to £350 to attend the party.
GB News has contacted to Stand Up to Racism and the Grand Sapphire Hotel for comment.