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Farage threatens to declare 'national emergency' and scrap House of Lords in speech marred by funding rules breach claims

The Reform UK leader said he would declare "a national emergency" and allow Parliament to sit for 24 hours a day, for six days a week, until the "necessary legislation" is passed.

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Reform Party Leader Nigel Farage steps on the podium during the Reform party's annual conference at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham
Reform Party Leader Nigel Farage steps on the podium during the Reform party's annual conference at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Picture: Alamy

By Danielle de Wolfe

Supporters waiting to hear Nigel Farage's keynote speech at the Reform UK party conference faced a lengthy delay on Friday, after the MP was stopped from taking to the stage 'for security reasons'.

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Mr Farage's speech was the latest to be overshadowed by both claims of a funding rules breach and protests on Friday, after Deputy Leader Richard Tice’s address was interrupted by protesters.

Earlier in the day, an automated banner was seen rising from the stage, depicting Mr Farage as ‘Mr Monopoly’, with protest group Greenpeace taking responsibility for the stunt.

The Reform leader arrived on stage nearly an hour late, after security personnel and sniffer dogs were spotted behind the stage.

Reform sources told LBC that "counter-terror police are not letting Nigel Farage onto the stage", however, West Midlands Police has since confirmed to LBC that counter-terror police had "no involvement" in the party conference.

"The decision to delay the commencement of the Leader of Reform UK’s keynote speech was made by Reform UK," West Midlands Police said in a statement.

"We can confirm that Counter Terrorism Policing have had no involvement in the delivery of the Reform UK Party Conference 2026."

It comes as Farage faced serious questions after undercover filming captured two party officials accepting foreign donations in an undercover sting.

Read more: Nigel Farage joined by Le Pen's right-wing ally as Reform leader vows to return small boats to France

Read more: 'No illegal transaction occurred' and top aides were 'entrapped': Farage breaks silence on Reform UK foreign funding sting

Delivering his speech, Mr Farage threatened to abolish the House of Lords should Reform UK come to power, as he insisted he would declare 'a national emergency' to push the party's laws through, should the Lords halt proposals.

Mr Farage failed to detail the basis upon which the emergency would be declared, as he pledged to sack ministers if they failed to push through Reform proposals within the first 100 days.

The speech also saw the Clacton MP insist that a General Election could take place in the spring, taking a swipe at Andy Burnham and the wider Labour Party.

A heckler is removed during Nigel Farage’s speech at the Reform UK National Conference, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham
A heckler is removed during Nigel Farage’s speech at the Reform UK National Conference, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Picture: Alamy

Mr Farage told his party conference in Birmingham: “Parliament will sit, if necessary, for 24 hours a day, for six days a week until we pass the necessary legislation, and our policies will be explicit in our offering document to the British people.

Farage was seen to repeatedly yell 'boring' at protestors, who were carried out amid several interruptions and four removals at the conference hall in Birmingham.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also addressed claims raised in the recently aired Channel 4 documentary, noting the broadcast was made because “they’re scared of us”.

A person displays a banner on stage during the Reform UK National Conference, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
A person displays a banner on stage during the Reform UK National Conference, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Picture: Alamy

Following the sting, which involved a wealthy international donor, played by an actor, captured on film with Reform UK officials arranging £32,500 in donations for polling commissioned by the leader.

Senior aide to Farage Dan Jukes and Reform's Head of Policy, James Orr both left their roles over the sting on Friday.

He insisted there was “nothing illegal” about his officials accepting overseas donations for three polls commissioned earlier this year - despite rival parties including the Lib Dems reporting Reform to the police over the claims.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage waits to take to the stage due to a security alert during the Reform UK National Conference
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage waits to take to the stage due to a security alert during the Reform UK National Conference. Picture: Alamy
Reform Party Leader Nigel Farage waves as he speaks during the Reform party's annual conference at the National Exhibition Centre
Reform Party Leader Nigel Farage waves as he speaks during the Reform party's annual conference at the National Exhibition Centre. Picture: Alamy

Speaking with LBC on Friday, Farage desperately sought to deny wrongdoing as he insisted everything was “above board" and declared the claims he broke the law nothing more than "pub talk".

The claims made in the documentary, aired by Channel 4 in collaboration with investigative journalism group Verbatim, saw accusations raised over the breaking of electoral law.

A demonstrator shouts whilst Reform UK leader Nigel Farage delivers a keynote speech during the Reform UK National Conference
A demonstrator shouts whilst Reform UK leader Nigel Farage delivers a keynote speech during the Reform UK National Conference. Picture: Alamy

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey was seen to report the party to the Met Police on Thursday, with the force today acknowledging they are "assessing the matter".

A Met Police spokesperson told LBC on Friday: “We’re aware of media reporting on Thursday, 3 September, involving political party donations and an alleged breach of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 relating to polling.

"We will assess this matter and any information provided to us."

Speaking with LBC on Friday, Mr Farage insisted the pair had to be go because they became 'entrapped', adding that he had "absolutely no idea" until the story emerged in the press.

"It’s a clear case of entrapment, and they got a couple of our contractors to say things that perhaps should not have been said.

"They have been removed this morning. I’m not happy about it," he said.

Earlier in the day, Farage was seen to take to the stage alongside French right-wing politician and Le Pen protégé Jordan Bardella.

The event saw Reform UK vow to return migrants arriving on small boats back to France.