Speaker’s Office Denies Advising Farage Against In-Person Surgeries Amid Security Concerns

Sky News has learned that the Speaker's Office claims it has no documentation supporting the assertion that it advised Nigel Farage against conducting face-to-face constituency meetings. Farage, the head of Reform UK, alleged in a call-in session that he was counseled by the Speaker’s Office to avoid these in-person gatherings in Clacton.

Political correspondent @FaithLRidler

Thursday, September 19, 2024, 5:

Sky News has learned that there were no directives given to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to refrain from conducting face-to-face meetings in his constituency.

An informant indicated that the Speaker's Office does not have any documentation supporting the claim that they advised Mr. Farage against hosting in-person meetings in his Clacton constituency, contrary to his statement during a Thursday morning call-in.

The lawmaker announced that he will not be conducting face-to-face meetings in his district due to concerns about potential violence from constituents carrying knives.

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The leader of Reform UK mentioned that he was counseled against holding traditional in-person meetings with constituents in his Clacton constituency.

When questioned about conducting face-to-face meetings, Mr. Farage informed LBC that he hadn't started doing so but would commence once permitted by parliament.

Asked if he had been cautioned against conducting surgeries for his safety, he responded, "That seems logical, doesn't it?"

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He mentioned that the instructions were provided by "the office of the Speaker (Sir Lindsay Hoyle), and under the office of the Speaker, there is a security team that offers recommendations, advising what actions should and shouldn't be taken."

Sky News has learned that there is no official record of the conversation in the Speaker's Office.

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A spokesperson for the House of Commons stated: "Ensuring that MPs can carry out their parliamentary responsibilities securely, whether they are within or outside the parliamentary buildings, is essential to the functioning of our democratic system."

The Parliamentary Security Department (PSD), in collaboration with local law enforcement, provides various security options to Members of Parliament who have offices or hold meetings in their districts, aiming to maintain a secure work setting.

"We refrain from discussing the security details or recommendations for individual Members of Parliament as doing so could potentially endanger MPs, parliamentary employees, or the public. However, we consistently reevaluate these measures."

The leader of Reform UK was questioned about whether he maintains an office in his district and the number of constituent meetings he has conducted there since his election over two months ago.

"Is there an office I own in Clacton? Indeed, there is. But am I letting people come in freely with knives in their pockets? Absolutely not," he responded.

In response to a question about why Clacton residents might enter a venue armed with knives, he stated, "Look at what happened in Southend. They killed David Amess there, and he was much less contentious than I am."

In 2021, Sir David, a conservative lawmaker, was tragically killed by a terrorist with ties to the Islamic State during a meeting in his Southend constituency.

A representative from Reform UK informed Sky News that based on recommendations from the Parliamentary Security Department and the Home Office, Nigel has been counseled to avoid conducting face-to-face meetings until appropriate security arrangements are established to protect him, his team, and the public.

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