Reform accuses police of failing to protect candidates from “attacks and threats”

Reform UK accused the police of failing to protect their candidates from “attacks and threats” during the campaign. The party accused police of “doing nothing” in the two weeks since a Falmouth candidate said he was assaulted in a “hate crime” while canvassing.

The party claimed one of their candidates was “robbed, punched and kicked” while another was told to “go home” by police while leafleting. The UK’s Reform candidate for Truro and Falmouth, Steve Rubidge, said Devon and Cornwall Police did “nothing” about reports that he had been attacked and that campaign material had been stolen and destroyed on 15 June.

Mr Rubridge claims he provided police with images and “massive clues to the likely identities” of those involved. He said: “Despite giving a statement just days after the attack and giving the police pictures and enough information to identify them, an officer called me more than two weeks later for another statement about the incident Sunday”.

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Mr Rubidge, who says his ‘ligaments are still hurt’ from the attack, asked: ‘So what have they been doing all this time? This is an injustice and I am calling on the police to act immediately. Our streets are becoming lawless.”

A spokesman for the Devon and Cornwall force said “police are still investigating the incident and inquiries are ongoing”. Reform also claim their candidate for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, Janice Richardson, was told by Northumbria Police officers not to make leaflets because of the “potential danger” of a pro-Palestine protest.

The party claims police refused to protect Ms Richardson from “extremists” and instead advised her against leafleting, which they said would be “pushing the bear”.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “We recognize the important role that the police play during an election period and as a force we are committed to ensuring that all candidates are free to campaign without fear of violence or intimidation.” .

A UK Reform spokesman said: “These incidents are deeply disturbing and suggest a total failure by the police to protect people exercising their God-given democratic rights.”