Nigel Farage is facing mounting criticism and even calls for a citizen’s arrest after making false claims that Essex Police “bussed in” counter-protesters to a tense demonstration outside a migrant hotel in Epping. The Reform UK leader and Clacton MP has been accused of spreading “reckless misinformation” and “incendiary innuendo” that is now actively endangering public safety.
In a video posted to X on Wednesday, Farage showed footage of individuals in a police van and claimed this was proof that Essex Police had transported left-wing demonstrators to The Bell Hotel, used to house asylum seekers, during two nights of unrest last week. “There is no way Chief Constable BJ Harrington can stay in position,” Farage declared.
The video comes in the wake of protests involving over 1,000 people, triggered by the arrest of an asylum seeker on suspicion of sexual assault. The demonstrations resulted in ten arrests and injuries to eight police officers.
But Essex Police swiftly and unequivocally refuted Farage’s claims:
“This is categorically wrong,” the force said in a statement.
“Officers did provide a foot cordon around protesters on their way to the protest… Later, some people who were clearly at risk of being hurt were also escorted by vehicle away from the area for their safety.
“To reiterate, we categorically did not drive any counter-protesters to the site on any occasion.”
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington further addressed the claims in a press conference, insisting his officers acted lawfully and impartially to prevent escalation. He warned that misinformation online was contributing to a “highly volatile atmosphere” and could lead to real-world violence.
“There are real-world consequences to irresponsible commentary,” he said.
“We took people away from the protest site to prevent injury and diffuse a violent situation. That is sound policing — not political interference.”
Legal experts and human rights groups have weighed in, condemning Farage for knowingly spreading falsehoods that have the potential to incite civil disorder.
“This isn’t just political spin — it’s reckless endangerment,” said civil liberties barrister Kamran Malik.
“When public figures knowingly spread false information that inflames already volatile situations, they put lives at risk — police, protesters, and bystanders alike.”
Amid the fallout, a grassroots campaign has emerged online calling for Farage to be subjected to a citizen’s arrest — citing the common law right to detain individuals committing or inciting a breach of the peace. Though largely symbolic, the campaign reflects growing anger at what many see as deliberate attempts to stir division for political gain.
Retired senior officers have echoed warnings about the risk to public safety:
“Farage’s claims were a lie. And lies like this erode public trust, incite confrontation, and ultimately lead to violence,” said former Met Superintendent David Keller. “He’s playing with fire — and others are going to get burned.”
As tensions remain high in Essex and beyond, the police continue to investigate offences committed during the protests. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on Farage to retract his comments and accept responsibility for the consequences of his rhetoric.
Letter to the Home Secretary, Chief Constable of Essex Police, and the Speaker of the House of Commons
Subject: Urgent Action Required in Response to Nigel Farage’s Public Falsehoods and Their Impact on Public Safety
Dear Madam and Sirs,
We write as concerned members of the public to express our deep alarm at recent statements made by Mr. Nigel Farage, MP, regarding the conduct of Essex Police during protests in Epping.
Mr. Farage publicly accused Essex Police of “bussing” in counter-protesters, a claim that has now been categorically refuted by the force itself. Despite this, the claim remains publicly visible, uncorrected, and is already being cited by extremist groups as evidence of political conspiracy and institutional bias.
This is not a harmless political disagreement. It is a deliberate falsehood, shared widely, that endangers public safety, undermines trust in policing, and risks inciting violence.
We note the comments made by Chief Constable Harrington regarding “real-world consequences” from social media misinformation. Mr. Farage’s public platform gives him extraordinary influence, and with it, a duty to speak responsibly. His failure to do so is not merely irresponsible, it is potentially unlawful.
We therefore call on:
- The Home Secretary to issue a public statement confirming the legal boundaries of free speech in the context of civil unrest and public misinformation.
- Essex Police to consider whether Mr. Farage’s actions meet the threshold for investigation under either the Communications Act 2003 or the Public Order Act 1986.
- The Speaker of the House of Commons to issue guidance on the expectations of conduct for sitting Members of Parliament when commenting on operational policing matters.
Finally, we encourage Essex Police and the CPS to take a proactive stance in reviewing whether the common law offence of incitement to breach of the peace may be engaged. The law provides for citizen’s arrest in such circumstances, but it should never have to come to that.
We believe that inaction risks emboldening further inflammatory rhetoric, especially against vulnerable communities and frontline officers who are doing their job impartially and under difficult conditions.
Yours sincerely,
The Great British Public
