Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has defended a festival-style victory celebration held by Nigel Farage that proceeded without the required event licence from local authorities.
Speaking to the BBC, Tice characterised the gathering as legitimate, stating
"it was a private party and it was a good party"when questioned about the so-called Farage Fest held on 13 August at Great Oakley airfield in Essex.
The overnight event drew hundreds of Reform supporters who paid for entry and were permitted to camp and park on-site. Attendees enjoyed live music, alcoholic beverages, and a Ferris wheel as they marked Farage's success in the Clacton by-election. Farage won the seat with 22,239 votes on 13 August 2026, skipping the official count to attend the rally instead.
Tendring District Council had declined to grant a Late Temporary Event Notice (LTEN) because the application arrived after the mandatory deadline. Organisers must submit such applications at least five working days before an event for the council to consider them, and the notice was refused when this requirement was not met.
Reform has consistently maintained that the event was invite-only, private, and conducted in accordance with the law, with the Late TEN submitted only as a precaution. The party has argued no rules were violated and that the licence was not legally necessary.
What does Tice say about the controversy?
Tice dismissed concerns raised about the event, emphasising that celebration is a normal part of political life. He stated:
"Lots of people enjoyed it and do you know what? We can be serious, we can come up with great policies, we can work hard. And then, guess what? We can celebrate. That's literally what normal people do."
When pressed on potential legal consequences, Tice responded with rhetorical questions:
"Are we not allowed parties these days? Are we so boring and dull that we're not allowed parties?"
He suggested that voters held different priorities, stating that constituents were more concerned about solar farms and a proposed 114-mile (185km) pylon route than
"whether or not someone had a glass of wine at some party in the middle of the night".
What is the council's position?
Tendring District Council's investigation into whether the event breached licensing regulations remains ongoing. According to the council's corporate director for law and governance, Lisa Hastings, the authority has not yet determined whether to pursue enforcement action.
If the council decides to prosecute, the event organiser could face significant penalties. Potential consequences include a fine or, in more serious cases, a custodial sentence under event licensing law.
What happens next?
Tendring District Council is expected to announce its next steps regarding the investigation at a future date. The outcome could determine whether Reform faces legal action over the unlicensed gathering.
This incident occurs against a broader backdrop of scrutiny surrounding Farage and Reform UK. A parliamentary standards probe into Farage's undeclared £5 million gift has reopened following his by-election victory, adding to the party's regulatory challenges.
