Chantelle Lunt started a “when I say Farage, you say out” chant at an event in London earlier this year
Cllr Chantelle Lunt started a “when I say Farage, you say out” chant at an event in London(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Reform UK’s Knowsley branch has accused a Green councillor of potentially “inciting the murder of a Reform UK MP” over a video she posted from an event in London in which she chants “when I say Farage you say out”.
Chantelle Lunt, who represents St Gabriel’s ward in Huyton, was on stage at the House Against Hate protest rave in Trafalgar Square when she started the chant in March this year. In a clip she posted on her social media, she says: “when I say Farage, you say,” and the crowd shouts what appears to be “out,” although it is difficult to hear what they are saying.
In a separate clip posted by another member of the public, Cllr Lunt can be heard more clearly saying “out” at the end of the chant. You can see those videos here; viewer discretion is advised due to strong language.
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The video found its way onto a local Knowsley Facebook group over the weekend in a post which claimed Cllr Lunt was “clearly breaching Knowsley councils [sic] very own mayoral code of conduct”. Cllr Lunt is not Knowsley’s mayor but rather the Mayor of Halewood, under Halewood Town Council.
Cllr Lunt told the Echo that when she appeared at the event she was not acting in her role as councillor or Mayor of Halewood, but “in a personal capacity as an activist”. The video was also posted on her personal social media rather than her councillor account, she added.
Reform Knowsley has since posted a statement accusing Cllr Lunt of “hate speech”.
A spokesperson for the branch said: “A video is currently circulating on social media allegedly showing an elected Green Party councillor engaging in hate speech and making comments that could be interpreted as inciting the murder of a Reform UK MP.
“If these allegations are proven to be true, they are deeply concerning and have no place in our political discourse or democratic society. Political differences must always be expressed through respectful debate, never through threats, intimidation, or language that could encourage violence.
“I would urge Merseyside Police to fully investigate this matter and determine whether any criminal offences have been committed. Elected representatives should be held to the highest standards of conduct and accountability, regardless of political affiliation.”
Merseyside Police told the ECHO they would not investigate the alleged incident which took place in London – as Reform’s Knowsley branch suggested – as that would be for the Metropolitan Police.
Cllr Lunt argued Reform UK’s statement on the matter is “just lies” that “can be quite dangerous”.
She said: “The Reform page represents four newly elected councillors on the first day in their roles, and that’s what they decided to post about, attacking the only Black woman councillor,” she said, adding that she believes the allegation could put her safety at risk.
“That’s quite telling, especially from a group that purports to protect women and girls,” she added, “because I don’t feel very safe right now”. Cllr Lunt said she was meeting with police later this afternoon, Monday May 11, to talk through the security ramifications of the Reform UK post.
“It’s completely absurd,” but also a “serious safety issue to put that on your page and highlight me to your followers with an allegation that’s completely false,” she said, adding she has tried unsuccessfully to contact Reform’s Knowsley branch on the matter.
“If this is a sign of what they’re doing politically, I really fear for the people of Knowsley. How are they going to be addressing issues if they’re focused on spreading misinformation?” she said.
“I don’t think they realise how much danger it puts people in.”
Four Reform councillors were elected to serve Knowsley in the local elections last week: group leader Alexander Hitchmough for Northwood, Josh Culley for Stockbridge, David Gilbertson for Whiston and Cronton and Brian Beddows for Halewood North.
Reform UK has been approached for comment.