Nigel Farage launched his campaign to be the next MP for Clacton without British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation – despite Reform UK previously committing to provide access to “formal press conferences” for Deaf signers “from Tuesday”.
The Brexiteer confirmed on Monday that he had taken over from Richard Tice as leader of the party he helped set up, and that he would be standing for election in the Essex town of Clacton on 4 July.
Farage had previously ruled out becoming a candidate in the general election, writing in a statement issued on 23 May that he will “do my bit to help” Reform UK’s campaign, but that he also intends to “help with the grassroots campaign in the USA [for Donald Trump] in any way I can”.
However on Friday he admitted to GB News that he had “absolutely huge regrets” around not standing in the general election, and this week confirmed he would attempt for the eighth time to become an elected Member of Parliament so as to not let “millions of people” down.
“So I have decided I’ve changed my mind. It’s allowed, you know? It’s not always a sign of weakness; it could potentially be a sign of strength,” he said on Monday.
He also said he would be Reform UK leader for the next five years, and that he would launch his campaign in Clacton at midday on Tuesday.
Except videos of the event circulating on social media do not appear to show a BSL interpreter with him on the Clacton seafront.
On Friday, a Reform UK spokesman told Liam O’Dell: “We are also working on ensuring that going forward – and technical problems notwithstanding – that from Tuesday future formal press conferences will be produced with a BSL signing option.”
It is not known whether Reform UK considers the campaign launch a ‘formal press conference’, and it is not clear whether another media event is scheduled for Tuesday which will come with the access provision.
Reform UK has been approached by Liam O’Dell for comment.
Farage’s speech comes on the same day that ITV will hold the first TV debate of the election period, with Conservative and Labour leaders Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer going head-to-head on Sunak vs Starmer at 9pm.
However, the broadcaster told this website on Wednesday that the programme would not come with BSL interpretation, with live subtitles provided instead.
The decision has since seen ITV hit with a pre-action letter from Inspire Legal, which warns the absence of a BSL interpreter would constitute “discrimination” against client and Deaf actor Katie Rowley, as well as other Deaf people.
ITV have not responded to multiple requests for comment about Inspire Legal’s letter.
Images: @Nigel_Farage/Twitter.
Liam O'Dell 