8 weird and sinister moments from Reform conference - from free speech to flags

8 weird and sinister moments from Reform conference - from free speech to flags Explosive allegation on foreign donations dominated the news during Reform conference. But The Mirror also wanted to ensure no gaffes, or strange moments were missed Reform UK's annual conference went off the rails in spectacular fashion after the party was plunged into a dodgy donations scandal. Nigel Farage's plans to get voters talking about his hardline policies were dashed, as two of his top aides were forced to go after being caught in undercover filming allegedly seeking to evade the rules on donations. The report, aired by Channel 4, completely dominated the news agenda during the gathering of Reform party faithful in Birmingham. But The Mirror was on hand to ensure no gaffes, weird moments and sinister exchanges were missed. Nadine Dorries defends banning journalists - during free speech debate Nadine Dorries defended Reform's decision to bar critical journalists - during a debate about free speech. The ironic exchange saw her label one of those refused entry - award-winning broadcaster and writer Michael Crick - a "pain in the bum". Ms Dorries, a former Tory cabinet minister who defected to Reform - said Mr Crick should be barred from all conferences as he makes a nuisance of himself. She said: "He’s only there to cause trouble and to try derail what’s taking place at the time. I don’t think Michael Crick should be able to attend any conference because he’s there to cause trouble." Also barred was Guardian journalist Anna Isaac, who exposed the £5million gift received by Mr Farage, and investigative reporter Peter Geoghegan. Made in China blunder after deputy goes on attack Nigel Farage's number two opened Reform's conference by having a dig at China - while standing yards away from a Reform UK merch stand selling items manufactured there. Richard Tice vowed his party would be championing British business, and pointing at a bus on display at Birmingham's NEC, he said: "I don't want any Chinese buses in here please." But a quick glance over the nearby conference shop reveals Farage fans can purchase caps, pendants and water bottles manufactured in China. The merch sits alongside caps made in Bangladesh, hoodies from Pakistan and tote bags made in India. Max Wilkinson, the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman, quipped: "I hear the Reform gift shop is quickly selling out of hypocrisy. But luckily for conference-goers, they have plenty of snake oil left over.” Lee Anderson slags off Mirror journalist’s suit Reform chairman Lee Anderson wasn’t in a mood to answer questions about the donations scandal gripping the party. We confronted him in the conference hall, to ask if Reform will take cash from just about anyone. The tetchy politician retorted: “By the looks of your suit, you could do with some money, mate.” He then refused to answer whether oysters - as Nigel Farage was filmed enjoying - was the breakfast of a man of the people. Funny that. ... as another Mirror journalist kicked out of Farage speech Things got very fraught during Nigel Farage’s speech, as spooked security began throwing journalists out of the hall. One of our team had been filming - and doing nothing wrong - when security escorted her out. Her pass was confiscated but no proper explanation was given. She was eventually allowed back into the conference after other Mirror journalists intervened. Farage looks like a ‘laughing stock’ with 'boring' backdrop Reform staffers were accused of making Nigel Farage look like a “complete laughing stock” during his speech after they flashed up a sign saying “boring, boring, boring” behind him. When the Reform UK leader faced hecklers during his main stage speech on Friday, he shouted back “boring, boring, boring". It’s a line he’s used when his speeches have been interrupted before and has become a meme on social media. Anticipating hecklers, Reform UK staff had organised for the quote to flash up behind their boss when they disrupted the speech. But what they hadn’t thought through… was that this would mean their beloved leader Mr Farage would inadvertently be labelled as “boring” during his own speech. A Labour source told The Mirror: "Reform have made Farage look a complete laughing stock - gaffes like this just prove how unfit they are for high office." And on social media, Labour’s press team responded to a photo of Mr Farage on stage, saying: “For once, we couldn't agree more.” Lib Dem deputy leader also said: “At last! Farage saying something we can all agree with.” Reform member calls for people who push 'wokeism' to be 'made to hang' A Reform member has called for people who have pushed “wokeism” in the UK to be “made to hang”. Harry, from Romsey and Southampton North, was given a platform to speak in the main conference hall during a segment chaired by TV host and Reform supporter Jeremy Kyle. Standing at a mic next to a platformed stage, where Mr Kyle sat, Harry told the host he wanted to speak about "wokeism”. He continued: “We are seeing if I'm not mistaken, the first signs of wokeism being excluded or disowned by the progressive left in America. I name for example (Zohran) Mamdami, the NYC Mayor, and AOC (US Democrat politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez). “If I'm reading this correctly, this may come across to the UK and those in the UK politically who have pushed wokeism for 20+ years, they must be made to hang. Is that a fair comment?” Mr Kyle replies: “I don't think the hang thing is a fair comment, to be fair." The host then went on to rant about diversity, equity and inclusion, while other panellists engaged in a conversation on "wokeism". Reform finance boss 'talking nonsense' over Boris Johnson by-election claim Reform’s finance chief was accused of talking nonsense after he sensationally claimed Kemi Badenoch tried to get Boris Johnson to stand in the Clacton by-election. Billionaire Nick Candy, a former Tory bankroller, told the Daily T podcast: "She [Badenoch] asked Boris to run in the Clacton by-election against Nigel, that is what I'm told. "I don't know first hand. I actually haven't picked up the phone to Boris on it." He continued: "Boris decided not to do it, or chose not to do it." But a Tory source told The Mirror: "This is another nonsense story made up by Reform. No one has spoken to Boris about standing in any seat." Jeremy Kyle and Nigel Farage go flags crazy Not long before his closing speech on the main stage, Nigel Farage managed to find some time to spend with his mate Jeremy Kyle. The pair sat in armchairs for a cosy chat on a platformed stage in the main conference hall. The crowd wooed as a grinning Mr Farage did some unsightly acrobatics to show off his Union Jack socks. Mr Kyle told him to be careful as he could be "arrested" for wearing those in Birmingham. A conference delegate, who set up a grassroots campaign backing the flag, told Mr Farage he was fighting court battles against authorities who told him not to raise flags. Mr Farage said he would give the man’s proposals to his lawyers and ranted about the “anti-flag” campaign. In a typically long-winded rant, he made a jibe about Dame Emily Thornberry and questions Labour being the “party of working people” because she accepted a damehood. Isn’t this coming from the man who accepted a £5million gift?