Cafe owner 'deeply disappointed' by Reform UK visit

A cafe director for adults with additional needs said she was deeply disappointed by Reform UK conduct during a visit by Nigel Farage and a by-election candidate. Reform responded to her letter by suggesting her criticism may have been politically influenced. The visit coincided with a non-campaign event attended by Labour candidate Andy Burnham, who accused Reform of being out of order. After Burnham shared the director’s letter online, Reform said its visit was completely ad hoc and non-political. A report described Farage and Kenyon stopping at the cafe for tea and food, while Burnham was also present speaking with young adults with additional needs. Burnham accused the reporting of presenting a partial version of events and called for an apology.

"The founder of a cafe for adults with additional needs has said she was "deeply disappointed" at the conduct of Reform UK during a visit by leader Nigel Farage and the party's Makerfield by-election candidate. The party responded to a letter from Gemma Crompton, director of The Hamlet Wigan Community Interest Company (CIC), suggesting her criticism may have been "politically influenced". The visit had coincided with a non-campaign related event attended by Labour candidate Andy Burnham, who accused Reform of being "out of order"."

"After Burnham shared Crompton's letter on social media, Reform hit back and said their visit was "completely ad-hoc and non-political". The row came after a report in the Daily Mail newspaper by political correspondent Christian Calgie, who had been with Farage and Kenyon covering Reform's by-election campaign trail on Wednesday. He was present when Farage and Kenyon stopped at the cafe "for a cup of tea and some food" and became aware that, unknown to them in advance, Burnham was also in the premises talking to young adults with additional needs."

"Calgie reported that he approached Burnham to ask questions about the campaign, only for the Greater Manchester mayor to react with "fury" and respond: "You don't go into a place like that unannounced, you're out of order there." Burnham has accused the Mail of reporting a "partial version of events" and added: "They were all out of order and, if they had any decency, would now hold their hands up and apologise.""

"In Crompton's letter to Farage, attached to Burnham's post on X and confirmed by her to the BBC as accurately reflecting her views, she said the cafe had been hosting a joint celebration for some of their trainees who had been awarded Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards. It was also celebrating the news that Wigan Council"

Read at www.bbc.com