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Inquiry into Farage poster row at anti-racism show

News imageSarah Leah Cobham A man with a bald head wearing a checked shirt has an argument with a person in a checked shirt, glasses and short brown hairSarah Leah Cobham
Video on social media appeared to show Reform councillor Wayne Beddoes having a heated discussion with someone at the event

An investigation has been launched after claims Reform UK councillors attempted to have a music event shut down due to posters featuring the face of party leader Nigel Farage.

Police and Wakefield Council confirmed they were examining reports of an incident at the Love Music Hate Racism event at Wakefield Exchange (WX) on Saturday.

Organisers said they were told by two councillors to "remove any posters and banners that named Farage or the event would be stopped".

Wakefield East's Reform councillor Steve Parker, who organisers said was present, told the BBC the incident was being investigated and he was unable to comment further.

West Yorkshire Police said they had received a report on Monday relating to the event at WX and inquiries were ongoing to establish what had taken place.

Organisers said an altercation developed after complaints by two councillors about a poster of the Reform leader. The party won control of the council from Labour in May's local elections.

"We were simply told to remove any posters and banners that named Farage or the event would be stopped," event organisers said in a statement.

"The councillors in question refused our invitation for a conversation about their complaint at the event. As their complaint was not sent directly to the manager or to us as organisers we are to date unable to see the original complaint."

News imageSarah Leah Cobham A poster reads: Stop Farage Stop TrumpSarah Leah Cobham
Event organisers were asked to remove posters criticising Nigel Farage and Donald Trump

A video shared on social media appeared to show a seated Wakefield East Reform councillor Wayne Beddoes having a conversation with a person, who is pointing at him. A security guard stands to the side of the pair.

The councillor then rises from the bench and leans into the person's face. The security guard leans across to separate the two while the other person says: "Come on then. Come on then mate. You want to have a go?"

The camera then zooms into Beddoes' face and he pushes it away.

The BBC has contacted the councillor for comment but has received no response.

A Wakefield Council spokesperson said: "We've received complaints relating to an event at Wakefield Exchange on 18 July. These will be investigated in line with our standards procedure."

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