Reform UK MP Lee Anderson sharply criticized both Essex Police and the BBC during a tense television interview regarding Nigel Farage’s absence from the Clacton by-election count, stating he trusts his party leader over local law enforcement and the national broadcaster.

The controversy stems from the recent Clacton by-election, where Reform UK leader Nigel Farage secured a decisive victory but notably failed to attend the official declaration. Following his absence, Farage told supporters at a private rally that he had been advised by Essex Police not to attend the count due to a security threat. Essex Police quickly refuted the claim, issuing a statement that they had provided “no such guidance” to any candidate.

Appearing on the BBC, Anderson was pressed on the conflicting accounts. The BBC presenter, citing the official police statement, asked Anderson if the police were “not telling it how it is” regarding their security advice to Farage.

Anderson forcefully defended the Reform UK leader while casting doubt on the integrity of both the police and the media. “I’ve not spoken to Nigel about this, I’ve not spoken to Essex Police,” Anderson stated. “If Nigel gets up on stage and says that he’s been advised not to attend the event, then I believe Nigel above the police, and especially above you lot at the BBC” .

Earlier in the exchange, when confronted with the BBC’s understanding that Essex Police denied advising anyone to stay away, Anderson remarked, “Sometimes some of these police forces that we’ve been dealing with recently are about as honest as you lot at the BBC” .

Despite the BBC presenter seeking clarification on whether Anderson was explicitly accusing the police and the broadcaster of lying, Anderson reiterated his position that he believed Farage took the advice given to him and made the right decision.

Anderson also argued that Farage’s absence from the traditional election count was a practical choice, asserting that his party leader’s time was “better spent saying a massive thank you” to the supporters who had helped secure the election victory over the past month.

The dispute over the police advice adds a layer of controversy to Farage’s return as the MP for Clacton, which he won with a reported 63% of the vote. The victory followed a period of political turbulence for Farage, whose campaign had recently been paused amid an investigation into a £5 million donation from a cryptocurrency investor.