More than 50 masked protesters gathered outside Clacton Town Hall just minutes before Nigel Farage sealed his by-election victory, GB News can reveal.
In photographs seen by GB News, the black-clad group stood outside one of the seaside seat’s polling stations wearing Union Jack face masks.
The demonstration, which was orchestrated by an anonymous artist known as Mr Phantom, took place just 15 minutes from the by-election count at Clacton Leisure Centre.
Mr Farage, who received 22,239 votes and beat Count Binface by 12,784 ballots, did not attend the declaration after Essex Police told the Reform UK leader yesterday about an “organised campaign” to “disrupt the result”.
Essex Police did not deny Mr Farage’s claim and GB News understands officers were aware of the flash mob demonstration.
It is not known if the flash mob art exhibition was the “organised campaign” which prompted the force to contact Mr Farage.
However, Essex Police reported no issues outside Clacton Town Hall this morning.
The Reform UK leader confirmed he was not going to attend the Clacton count while addressing supporters at a post-polling day party dubbed “Farage Fest”.
In photographs seen by GB News, the black-clad group stood outside one of the seaside seat’s polling stations wearing Union Jack face masks
The demonstration, which was orchestrated by an anonymous artist known as Mr Phantom, took place just 15 minutes from the by-election count at Clacton Leisure Centre
Mr Farage said: “I’ve stood in many elections, general elections, European elections, and now a second by-election.
“And, every time, I really enjoy going to the count. It’s exciting; it’s dramatic. You’re on the stage; it’s something to be at.
“I’m sad to say that after 33 years of being a candidate in active politics, I’ve been advised tonight, by Essex Police, that there is an organised campaign to disrupt and degrade the result that will take place in a few hours’ time.”
He added: “I’m not scared of these people, far from it, but I’m damned if I’m going to stand on the stage, having won a resounding victory, a ringing endorsement, which I tried to fight for, and you tried to fight for, be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies, and I will not, sadly, attend the count.”