Reform UK hits back after police called to Wisbech campaign
Police were called to Wisbech Market Place on Friday, where local members of the political party Reform UK were campaigning ahead of next month’s county elections.
Officers say they were responding to a phone call claiming there was a dispute taking place.
However, Reform members have accused Wisbech mayor Cllr Sidney Imafidon of calling the police, saying the Conservative district councillor is “scared of the rise of the party”.
Wisbech Town Council confirmed that the Reform campaigners had not booked stallage space on the market place and that the council was not aware they would be "pitching-up" .
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayoral Election takes place on the same day as the Cambridgeshire County Council voting - Thursday, May 1 - and Reform mayoral candidate Ryan Coogan issued a statement to the media.
He said: “We were peacefully campaigning in the town centre, with lots of residents coming over to speak to us and see what we are offering as a party in these elections.
“Due to their positive comments, the Conservative Mayor came to make us stop. When we didn’t, he called the police and kicked up a fuss.
“Nationwide, we have the Conservatives and Labour working together to cancel county council elections just because they are terrified of the rise of Reform.
“It is a shame so many people in the two failed political parties act like dictators rather than embracing the wonderful democracy and right to debate we have in the UK.
"Britain is broken, Cambridgeshire is broken, Wisbech is broken, Reform will fix it.”
Cambridgeshire police said they were called at about 1pm with reports of a dispute over political campaigning in Wisbech.
Officers attended the marketplace where campaigners were gathered.
A spokesperson for the police said: “No crimes were found to have taken place and words of advice were given to both sides.
Cllr Imafidon was contacted for a comment on the accusations but does not wish to respond.
Reform are fielding candidates in all eight Fenland wards for the county elections, including in Wisbech East, Wisbech West and the Roman Bank and Peckover ward.
