Nigel Farage ducks for cover after man hurls missile at him on Reform UK battle bus, as suspect arrested

11 June 2024, 12:07 | Updated: 11 June 2024, 12:37

Nigel Farage was attacked again on Tuesday
Nigel Farage was attacked again on Tuesday. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

Nigel Farage was forced to duck for cover on Tuesday after a man hurled a missile at him while he was out campaigning for Reform UK.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Mr Farage was standing in the party's open-top campaign bus in Barnsley when the man started throwing objects at him.

The Reform leader said afterwards that he thought the objects were a coffee cup, followed by some cement from a building site.

Neither of the objects hit Mr Farage, and the 28-year-old man has since been arrested.

Mr Farage added: "My huge thanks to South Yorkshire Police today. I will not be bullied or cowed by a violent left-wing mob who hate our country."

Officers said: "We have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of public order offences following disorder in Barnsley Town Centre today (11 June).

"It is believed that the man threw objects from a nearby construction area. A suspect was quickly detained and remains in police custody."

Read more: Suella Braverman says Conservatives should 'welcome' Nigel Farage to 'unite the right'

Read more: Reform candidate apologises after suggesting UK should have 'taken Hitler up on his offer of neutrality'

This is the second time that Mr Farage has been attacked so far this General Election campaign. A woman threw a milkshake at him last week, and has since been charged.

Reform said on Tuesday: "Twice attacked, but never defeated. An attack on any political candidate is an attack on democracy itself. Reform UK’s mission for justice and democracy stands firm".

Police officers escort a person after he threw a cup towards Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on the Reform UK campaign bus in Barnsley
Police officers escort a person after he threw a cup towards Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on the Reform UK campaign bus in Barnsley. Picture: Alamy

On Tuesday, Mr Farage was addressing cheering supporters from the top of the bus when the assault took place.

In a video posted by the Reform leader, the man can be seen throwing the missiles from a fenced-off building site across the street from the bus.

He was thrown out of the building site by the workers, and ran off down the street.

Police can be seen chasing him briefly, before one officer catches him, to loud cheers and applause from passers-by.

Mr Farage appears shaken during the video, and said he was warned by police not to get off the bus.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage makes a speech on the Reform UK campaign bus in Barnsley
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage makes a speech on the Reform UK campaign bus in Barnsley. Picture: Alamy

It comes after he had a milkshake thrown in his face after announcing he would stand for Parliament last week.

The alleged culprit, Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, will appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 2 July to answer charges of assault by beating and criminal damage.

Mr Farage said the incident was "quite frightening" but then posted a social media video himself saying "my milkshake brings all the people to the rally".

The incident was roundly condemned by politicians. Labour's Yvette Cooper said it was a "disgrace" and "completely unacceptable and wrong".

The Home Secretary, James Cleverly, described the "assault" on Farage as "unacceptable, just as it would be for any candidate.

"There is no excuse to resort to behaviour like this. We may disagree, but we debate, and then we vote. That’s democracy," he added.

Richard Tice, Nigel Farage's predecessor as Reform UK leader, said: "The juvenile moron who threw a drink over Nigel has just gained us hundreds of thousands more votes.

"We will not be bullied or threatened off the campaign trail."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones - Roaming Arrivals

Calls for Kanye West to be removed from X after 'antisemitic rampage' online

Netlifx has hiked its subscription prices without adverts by £2, or 18%, to £12.99 a month for British users.

Netflix hikes prices for Brits after hitting record subscription figures

EL SALVADOR-RELIGION-WELBY

Justin Welby to live at Lambeth Palace despite quitting as archbishop after damning report into Church safeguarding failures

Retired PC Tim Bradshaw (left) and Andrew Newman, deputy chair of Sussex Police Federation, outside Portsmouth Crown Court

Retired police officer found not guilty after knocking two men off electric motorbike in order to 'protect life'

Detective Sergeant Richard Mills, aged 42, of Rochdale was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court

Police detective jailed for 18 months after two sexual assaults on colleagues in workplace

A music teacher who appeared on a hit Channel 4 show has been accused of sexual assault and making indecent images of children.

Music teacher who appeared in hit Channel 4 show charged with making indecent images of children

Exclusive
A former prisoner who was pregnant while behind bars has called for childbearing women to get more support from the justice system.

‘I cried myself to sleep, covered in blood’: Former prisoner who was pregnant while jailed calls for justice system overhaul

Six-month old Sophia Kelemen was killed by a driverless car in a horror accident on January 2.

Baby girl dies in horror accident after driverless car smashes into pram on family holiday

Mohamed Al-Fayed's brother has denied sexual assault allegations brought forward by three former Harrods employees.

Mohamed Al Fayed's brother 'unequivocally' denies sexual assault allegations by three former Harrods employees

Kanye West, left, and Bianca Censori arrive at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Kanye West declares he’s a ‘Nazi,’ ‘loves Hitler’ and that he has ‘dominion’ over Bianca Censori in vile rant

A British man found dead with his wife inside their isolated French villa

British couple found dead in French villa named as fears former organised crime financial investigator was 'murdered'

TV chef Gino D'Acampo’s ITV shows have been pulled from schedules

Gino D’Acampo TV shows pulled from schedules amid investigation into ‘sexually inappropriate’ comments

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner as Labour has been accused of adding unnecessary costs on consumers

Fears more costs will pass to consumers as yet more taxes from Labour announced

A second woman, suspected of using wigs to disguise herself to sit the British citizenship test for other people, has been arrested.

Second woman arrested after wearing wigs to 'fake UK citizenship tests' as immigration officers find disguises and designer bags in raid

Charlie Roberts (l) was in the care of his mum's partner Christopher Stockton (r) when he suffered the fatal injury

Stepdad who shook baby to death then tried to blame biscuit jailed for life

Grenfell Tower to be demolished, government confirms

Grenfell Tower will be demolished, government confirms