Reform UK conference: Nigel Farage desperately tries to downplay donations row in closing speech . hyn

Suella Braverman has insisted the party is “100% behind” Nigel Farage after the latest donations scandal cast a shadow over his leadership.

Asked whether her colleagues Zia Youssef and Robert Jenrick were on manouevres for the top job, she told the Mirror: “The simple answer is no. Listen, I’ve seen a lot of skulduggery, let’s say, within the Conservative party. And it’s another reason why I left. Actually, no one could really be trusted and I obviously couldn’t trust the party any longer.

“I’ve been really uplifted by the sense of unity and joint mission and teamwork that’s that defines the top team in the in the shadow the shadow team. So, no, listen, I know we’re all behind 100% Nigel.

“I want him to be Prime Minister. So does Robert, so does Zia. And we’re not going to stop working and fighting until we achieve that goal.”

Suella Braverman said Reform UK was ‘100% behind’ Nigel Farage after the latest scandal(Image: Getty Images)

Explosive allegations on foreign donations dominated the news during Reform conference.

But The Mirror also wanted to ensure no gaffes, or strange moments were missed.

Read more from Mirror Politics’ Mikey Smith at the Reform UK conference: Eight weird and sinister moments from Reform conference – from free speech to flags

Nigel Farage was caught out by his own backdrop at the Reform UK conference(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

Lobbyists partially funded by a US group who took cash from the tobacco industry were given a prime spot in Reform UK’s annual conference – without declaring the links.

A stand bearing the slogan “Labour’s inconvenience store” was placed at the entry of the conference, seen by thousands of people on their way in and out of the event.

The stand, attacking Labour for “nanny state” policies aimed at reducing smoking, is operated by We Vape, a group funded in part by US pro-tobacco pressure group Consumer Choice Center.

The US-based Consumer Choice Center have taken cash from Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco – the world’s biggest cigarette manufacturers. It is plastered with a series of ‘shocking’ mock health warnings, including “alcohol gives you liver cancer” and “vapes are addictive” – all of which are true.

And it features a series of products including drinks and crisps mocked up in cigarette-style plain packaging – despite there being no plan to introduce plain packaging for either.

Read more: Reform UK gives ‘nanny state’ lobbyists funded by US pro-tobacco group prime spot at conference

The pro-tobacco lobbying groups’s advertising stand was the first thing attendees saw at Reform UK’s conference in Birmingham(Image: Mikey Smith)

In her analysis of Nigel Farage’s closing speech, the Mirror’s political editor Lizzy Buchan writes:

Nigel Farage sought to whip up his fanatical supporters in a speech to close Reform’s disastrous conference. Surrounded by smoke machines and sparks, the Reform leader received a jubilant reception from the hall as he ran through his usual playbook of grievances.He was forced to return again to the donations scandal that has dominated this conference.But he claimed the gathering had been upbeat – despite what the pesky media will tell you – and the other parties affairs would look dismal and grey in comparison.In truth, this conference has been lacking in Farage’s usual razzmatazz.The donations row, and the loss of two of his closest aides, torpedoed the event’s momentum and have clearly left him bruised.Vibes do matter in politics. This doesn’t look like the Farage or the Reform of last year.

Nigel Farage appears ‘bruised’ by the new donations scandal(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

At the end of a brief speech, the Reform UK leader invited members of his top team – including Richard Tice, Zia Yusuf and Lee Anderson – on stage to close the conference with a chorus of the national anthem.

A chorus of the national anthem closed the Reform UK conference(Image: AFP via Getty Images)