Police launch investigation into 5 assaults at Reform convention after clips shared on-line
West Midlands Police said it was aware that names and footage had been shared online but then urged people to to speculate about the those involved in the incident
West Midlands Police said they were investigating the incident(Image: Getty Images)
West Midlands Police has opened an investigation into five assaults at Reform UK’s conference.
Disturbing clips of a woman being beaten around the head with a crutch before having her hair pulled were widely shared online amid the party’s conference in Birmingham last week. The female climate activist also had a hand placed over her mouth while a grey haired man was seen assaulting her.
Another woman was seen pulling at the demonstrator’s hair as security guards escorted her from the conference. The assaults drew condemnation online, but when questioned about the attack Reform UK’s economic spokesperson Robert Jenrick said: “Oh boohoo. Get a life. You take your chances if you go to a party conference and try to mess it up.”
But West Midlands Police announced today its investigation into a number of assaults during the conference last week is ongoing. It added: “We are investigating assaults on five people which took place on 4 September, as a number of people were removed from the conference hall by other members of the public.
“To date, none of the victims involved have come forward. We continue to encourage them to do so. A number of suspects have been identified as the investigation progresses.
“We have reviewed footage showing the incidents as we work to establish the full facts. We are also aware that names of people allegedly involved in the assaults are circulating in the media and on social media.”
West Midlands Police added: “We would urge people not to speculate about the identity of those involved, but to pass any relevant information to our investigators. All of the information is being reviewed, and we are in touch with the security team who were working at the event.
“We would urge anyone who witnessed what happened, or who was a victim, to get in touch as soon as possible via 101 or Live Chat on our website. Quote log 1106 of 3 September.”
The incident overshadowed Reform’s conference as the party looks to put a £5 million donation and Nigel Farage’s byelection face-off against Count Binface behind them. Farage later addressed the assault when speaking to ITV on Saturday: “When we have a big event that people have paid a lot of money to come to and we get people there trying to disrupt it and we remove them, suddenly we’re in the wrong. Utter nonsense.”
When asked about the “disturbing video” of a woman having her hair pulled and being hit over the head, Mr Jenrick told Sky News host Jon Sopel: “We’re now in a country, Jon, where somebody who is – whatever she is – a far-left protester, goes into a party conference, tries to wreck the leader’s speech, and cries foul if a pensioner knocks her over the head with their Zimmer frame, I mean, come on, get a life.”
