Reform rally struck by 'violent' masked protesters as tensions flare after ex-Labour MP accused of 'incitement' against Farage

Mask-wearing protesters, who refused to talk to local police officers after gathering at around 3.30pm, vowed to shut down the Reform rally.

Groups supporting the protest include the Bakers Food & Allied Workers Union, Radical Pride, Falmouth and Penryn Acorn, All Under One Banner Kernow, Youth Demand Falmouth and the Kernow Antifascist Network assembled in the area.

The group of "noisy" protesters were heard chanting "Nazi scum of our streets", with others accusing Farage of "racism".

Responding to the protest, Farage claimed one person was left injured following the violent clash.

He said: "We're used to name-calling and a few eggs being thrown, but this was Antifa - very dangerous American organisation, and they're violent.

"They see violent protest as being acceptable. Somebody has already had their tooth knocked out. These are very nasty, dangerous people.

"No political protest in Britain should be allowed with people wearing masks. That is completely unacceptable at every level.

“I'm astonished that Antifa have not been banned as an organisation.

"I have to say I am not happy with the Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police because the argument - that we don't intervene until things have gone wrong as opposed to policing being preventative ... I'm pretty appalled frankly. I tour the country repeatedly and most would stop that."

Police also clashed with the protesters ahead of the event, escorting demonstrators away from the main entrance to ensure the 700 attendees could enter the venue.

During his empowered speech in Cornwall, the Reform UK leader added: "Let me give a message to Antifa, let me give a message to two-tier Keir Starmer, let me give a message to all of them: We will not be cowed, we will not be silenced by anybody, we are the British people and we want a common sense Government back in charge of our country - we are going to fight for it and we are going to win."

Farage has been supported by a security team for over a decade following a spate of violent protests throughout his political career.

The 60-year-old was twice targeted during the 2024 General Election campaign, with Victoria Thomas Bowen and Josh Greally both being sentenced for separate assaults in Clacton and Barnsley.

However, the latest incident comes just days after Sultana was accused of "incitement" for her post about an anti-Reform rally on the same day as Farage's visit to Birmingham.

The Coventry South West MP compared the politics of Reform to the National Front and British National Party.

She doubled-down on her comments by sharing details to a protest outside Reform’s rally at Secret Space in Birmingham next month.

The counter-protest, which kicks off at 7pm on March 28, starts just one hour after Stand Up To Racism's "Farage not welcome in Birmingham" event.

Addressing the spat with Sultana on Good Afternoon Britain last week, Farage told GB News: "I think it's disgraceful and frankly I think it's almost inciteful. What she said about me and said about our people is very close to incitement.

"And clearly what she is trying to do is get a crowd of protesters, many of whom may not behave themselves, to turn up on March 28 - when we will be holding the biggest political rally seen in the United Kingdom for many, many decades.

"If you believe in free speech, even if you disagree with what Farage says and what Reform stands for, and attempt to stop the event from going ahead, I think that's an absolute democratic disgrace. It's not the way for any elected Member of Parliament to behave."

Rejecting Sultana's decision to compare Reform UK to the BNP, the Clacton MP added: "Reform is non-sectarian, non-racist.

“We're open to absolutely everybody. It's just that we're patriotic, we believe in controlling our borders and putting the interest of the British people first."

Sultana had sparked a backlash on social media for her original post, with Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe labelling the 31-year-old a "horrible woman".

Following Sultana's post comparing Reform UK to the National Front and British National Party, Lowe added: "You are the MP for Coventry, not Gaza."

Zia Yusuf, who serves as Reform UK's chairman, also said: "This is a disgraceful tweet to make against a fellow MP who requires round the clock protection due to credible threats to life."

The populist party is embarking on its nationwide tour ahead of the 2025 Local Elections.

Cornwall, which returned six Ukip councillors in 2013, will put all of its 87 seats up on May 1.