Reform UK conference delayed as police search stage before Farage speech

Nigel Farage's Reform UK conference speech in Birmingham was delayed after security personnel, including counter-terror police, reportedly prevented him from taking the stage. Party sources cited a security alert following searches beneath the stage. Security officers with a sniffer dog conducted checks behind the scenes, halting main hall activities. Former party chairman David Bull told attendees that sessions were suspended due to "unforeseen circumstances" ahead of Farage's scheduled appearance. The delay follows Farage dismissing allegations that Reform UK breached donation rules by accepting polling funded by a foreign company, calling them "loose pub talk." The incident occurred at the party's conference on Friday.