Former UKIP leader Henry Bolton has taken aim at the 'Antifa-style' protesters who targeted Reform UK in Cornwall, claiming their actions are "verging on terrorism".
A large group of mask-wearing protesters, who refused to talk to local police officers, attempted to shut down the Reform rally in Camborne.
The crowd of "violent" protesters were heard chanting "Nazi scum of our streets", with others accusing Farage of "racism".
Speaking to GB News, Bolton condemned the protesters for targeting Reform's rally and claimed they are "shutting down free speech".
Henry Bolton hit out at protesters for targeting Reform UK rally in Cornwall
GB News
Bolton told host Lee Anderson: "I've experienced it myself when I was the leader of Ukip and yeah, it's the left - you don't see it coming from the right nearly so much.
"These people are fundamentally anti-democratic. These people are trying to shut down free speech. If you don't have freedom of expression of your opinions, you cannot have democracy. It's fundamentally anti-democratic."
Taking a firmer stance on the incident, Bolton suggested that although it isn't "fully terrorism", it is "verging on" becoming it.
Bolton explained: "Back in the day before Tony Blair messed around with it, the definition of terrorism was trying to bring about political change through the threat or use of violence.
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Protesters descended on Reform's rally in Cornwall with flags and placards in spite of the party's leader
GB News
"Now, this is the threat and to an extent, the use of violence for a political purpose. And I'm not going to call it terrorism, but it is verging on that."
Criticising Devon and Cornwall Police for making no arrests, Bolton declared that action must be taken against "violence in politics", otherwise "democracy will fail".
He added: "For the police not to take action - I'm a former police officer, and there are occasions when it is very difficult to make arrests - but we've got to, as a nation, confront this violence in politics and this intimidation.
"Because otherwise our democracy fails, and it fails only because people are afraid to stick their head above the parapet and express themselves."
Bolton told GB News that the police must 'confront violence in politics'
GB News
Delivering his verdict on the incident, Lee Anderson said that protests against political figures have "got to stop", and emphasised his push to improve MP safety.
Lee stated: "I think one of Nigel's security guards had two teeth knocked out as well, and no arrests were made. Surely this has got to stop.
"Just this week, I met with the speaker again at the speaker's conference to discuss MPs safety. But it's more about it's more than just MPs.
"It's about political candidates, it's about activists, it's about people who support political parties and free speech."
