Council launches investigation into Nigel Farage’s Clacton by-election victory party
The council has said the by-election after party took place without permission
An investigation has been launched into the celebration event Nigel Farage held following the Clacton by-election, after the local council said it went ahead without official permission.
Farage held the overnight event, dubbed “Farage Fest”, at Great Oakley Airfield on 13 August to celebrate his Clacton by-election result.
Reform’s Conference organiser, Ben Sherriff, said 600 people attended the event which began at 11pm and went on until 11am the next day.
Attendees had to pay an entry fee, but could park or camp on site for free.
Tendring District Council confirmed that they received a late temporary event notice for the party. However, they refused to give licensing permission for the event because Reform did not submit the application in time.
Lisa Hastings, corporate director for law and governance at Tendring Council, said: “We can confirm that a late temporary event notice was submitted in relation to an event on Thursday, August 13, at Great Oakley Airfield.
“This notice was refused, and a counter-notice served, as it was not submitted within the statutory timescales required under the Licensing Act 2003.
“No authorisation was therefore granted under a late temporary event notice for the event.”
Organisers can apply for the late temporary event notice (LTEN) five working days before an event takes place. Reform submitted the LTEN application for “Farage Fest” application after that deadline.
Hastings added that as “the matter may now involve potential enforcement considerations”, the council could not comment further on the investigation.
A Reform UK spokesperson said the party was “confident that no rules were broken and the event was conducted in accordance with the law”.
They said it was an invite-only private gathering and that no activity took place requiring authorisation under the Licensing Act 2003.
They said they had submitted a temporary event notice as a precaution, but said they weren’t relying on it as they didn’t need a permit for the event to go ahead.
If Tendring District Council, the licensing authority, decides to prosecute following the investigation the organisers could face a fine or even a custodial sentence.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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