Reform UK bars three journalists from party conference
Reform UK has declined press credentials for at least three journalists who have reported critically on the party and Nigel Farage, including Guardian City editor Anna Isaac, ahead of its annual conference.
Reform UK has barred at least three journalists from covering its annual conference after they produced critical reporting on the party and its leader, Nigel Farage. The Guardian’s City editor, Anna Isaac, investigative reporter Peter Geoghegan, and broadcaster and biographer Michael Crick were all informed this week that their accreditation requests for the event had been declined. The conference is scheduled to begin on Thursday.
The decision marks a significant escalation in the party’s relationship with the press, which has grown increasingly strained in recent months. Journalists who have been refused entry are understood to have reported on internal party disputes, financial arrangements, and the conduct of senior figures. The move raises questions about Reform UK’s commitment to media access and transparency, particularly as the party positions itself as a major force in British politics.
Anna Isaac, who covers financial and corporate affairs for The Guardian, has written extensively on political donations and business links involving party figures. Peter Geoghegan is an investigative journalist whose work has examined the funding and organisational structures of political movements across Europe. Michael Crick, a veteran broadcaster and author of a biography of Farage, has been a persistent presence at political events and is known for his detailed scrutiny of party mechanics.
Reform UK has not issued a public statement explaining the credential denials. The party’s press office did not respond to requests for comment before publication. The conference, which is expected to draw party members and senior officials from across the country, will now proceed without the presence of these three reporters.
The bans come at a delicate moment for the party. Polling data from recent weeks suggests Reform UK has lost ground compared with the same period last year, when it was leading in national surveys amid declining support for the Labour government. The party now finds itself struggling in the polls, according to recent surveys, and the conference was expected to serve as a platform to reset its public message and rally its base.
Farage, who has led the party since its formation from the Brexit Party, has frequently criticised mainstream media coverage, accusing outlets of bias and misrepresentation. However, the decision to formally exclude individual journalists from a public political event is a more direct intervention than the party has typically employed. Media organisations have historically relied on accreditation systems to ensure access for reporters, and the denial of credentials is generally reserved for cases involving security concerns or breaches of event rules.
The affected journalists have not indicated whether they intend to challenge the decision. The Society of Editors and other press freedom advocates have yet to comment publicly, but the episode is likely to reignite debate about the treatment of the media by political parties in the United Kingdom. The conference will continue as planned, with other accredited journalists expected to attend and report on the proceedings.
