The leader from Reform UK has been criticised by a Birmingham band for using its music as part of his walk-on entrance at the party’s autumn conference.
Clacton MP, Nigel Farage, has appeared at Reform UK ‘s party conference at the National Exhibition Centre on Friday (September 4), walking on with a Dexys Midnight Runners’ song playing.
The 62-year-old entered the main stage as the Brummie band’s famous hit, Come on Eileen played out.
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But on Saturday, the band’s frontman, Kevin Rowland, hit out at the use of their music saying he was ‘disgusted by its use’.
Posting on the group’s social media channels the lead singer said: “I, Kevin Rowland (the son of Irish immigrants) and the main songwriter of ‘Come On Eileen,’ am disgusted to learn that Nigel Farage has used our Dexys Midnight Runners’ song to make his entrance for his party conference speech.
“Myself, and all of Dexys are passionately against Farage’s politics.”
Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, greets delegates during the party’s conference at the National Exhibition Centre -Credit:Anthony Devlin/Getty Images
The spat comes after the Reform UK conference also saw a scuffle with a protestor being forcefully removed from the arena, also on Friday. with a video showing she had her hair pulled.
Footage showed the protestor being grappled and restrained before being ejected from the NEC.
Mr Farage at the time said: “What do they say? Order, order.
“That poor young girl. She looked like she was going to do herself an injury, didn’t she?”
While West Midlands Police said it had yet to receive a complaint as it urged the woman to come forward.
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A force spokesperson said: “We’re aware of a video circulating from the Reform UK Conference showing an incident with a protester.
“We haven’t received a complaint but would ask the woman involved to come forward and contact us so we can carry out enquiries.
“Anyone with any information should contact us on 101 quoting log number 924 of September 5.”