Reform UK's Zia Yusuf has condemned party members who were observed pulling the hair and grabbing the head of a protester during a speech by party leader Nigel Farage. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at the party's conference in Birmingham.
A video widely circulated online shows audience members manhandling a heckler, who was among several protesters who attempted to disrupt Farage's keynote address. Demonstrators were removed from the conference hall on four separate occasions at the National Exhibition Centre.
West Midlands Police stated that they are aware of the circulating video and have asked the protester involved to come forward. The force has not received a direct complaint but wishes to speak with the woman to conduct further investigations. Anyone with information is asked to contact police, quoting log number 924 of September 5, 2026.
Speaking at a fringe event on Saturday, Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesman, addressed the incident. "On the question of whether I condemn people punching people, yes, I condemn people punching people," he said.
Nadine Dorries, a former Conservative minister who joined Reform, commented on the disruptions, stating that those who interrupt the conference should not expect "gentle treatment." She added, "Of course no one should be violent, no one should throw punches but… no one should come into this conference and try and disrupt it."
Lee Anderson, the party chairman, also addressed the protesters on Saturday. "I don't condone any sort of that behaviour," he said, before suggesting, "if anybody wants to have a quick whip round later, we are collecting for a new walking stick." He also humorously suggested that protesters would have been better off spending their entrance fee money on bus fare to the job centre.
Activist group Climate Resistance claimed responsibility for the protest during Farage's speech, stating they were "horrified at the violence" from Reform conference attendees and that the protester was considering whether to contact the police. A spokesperson for the group added, "Farage should take responsibility for controlling his supporters rather than firing up an angry crowd. He's been mired in scandal over donations and billionaire influence."
During Farage's speech, two women stood and held a banner that read 'Reform works for billionaires.' They were met with boos from the audience. Farage, reacting to the disruption, laughed and commented, "We've got a screamer. Oh dear."
Earlier in the day, a banner displayed during a speech by deputy leader Richard Tice depicted Farage with the words 'Collect £5 million, burn the planet,' referencing a controversy around a donation to the party leader.
