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Reform MP tells Kate Garraway to 'get a grip' in Nigel Farage safety row

Richard Tice told Kate Garraway to 'get a grip' as she reminded Good Morning Britain viewers that Essex Police 'didn't tell anybody not to go' to the Clacton by-election count over safety concerns

[Richard Tice on Good Morning Britain]

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Richard Tice on Good Morning Britain(Image: ITV)

Richard Tice was left fuming as Kate Garraway corrected his claims about Nigel Farage and his decision not to attend the Clacton by-election count.

Tice, the 61 year old Reform MP, appeared on Good Morning Britain the morning after Nigel Farage's win. The conversation soon turned to why Farage snubbed the account, becoming the first victorious candidate to do so since imprisoned IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands in 1981. Farage, whose primary opposition was Count Binface, had claimed that he stayed away because Essex Police had told him his safety was at risk.

[Richard Tice on GMB with Ranvir Singh and Kate Garraway]

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Richard Tice on GMB with Ranvir Singh and Kate Garraway(Image: ITV)

But Garraway said: "What we've been told is that Essex police didn't tell anybody not to go, so what we want to work out is what's in the mind on the level of concern of those around him and where the information came from."

Tice furiously responded: "Seriously, I think you need to get a grip. I'm talking about Nigel's safety, security and remaining alive and you're playing on words by different people who might be giving advice."

Garraway's co-host, Ranvir Singh, jumped in to add that it was "not minor words" they were quoting but was a statement from a Reform UK spokesperson who had told reporters that Essex Police told Farage to stay away from the election. "That's a very clear statement from Reform UK to a reporter overnight," she added. "So we're just trying to clarify."

[Nigel Farage had said that Essex Police told him not to go to the election count]

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Nigel Farage had said that Essex Police told him not to go to the election count(Image: PoliticsUK)

Tice fumed that they were "wasting this interview" by focusing on the safety aspect, which he said was "less relevant than the result". Farage picked up 22,239 votes in the Clacton by-election, ensuring he will return as the constituency's MP. Parody candidate Count Binface, was backed by thousands of voters with a turnout of just over 44.4 percent.

When Garraway said she thought the safety concern was relevant, Tice added: "Why are you questioning our judgement? Honestly I find it astonishing that you are questioning the judgement of our security team."

Tice and Garraway were not the only people to talk on the safety claim this morning. When asked about the claim that Essex Police had advised Farage not to attend, which the Mirror also understands is not the case, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson implied that police had not been honest in subsequent statements and said sometimes some of these police forces that weve been dealing with recently are about as honest as you lot at the BBC.

[The other candidates at the Clacton by-election count]

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The other candidates at the Clacton by-election count(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

He told BBC Breakfast: Ive not spoken to Nigel about this. Ive not spoken to Essex Police. If Nigel gets up on stage and says that hes been advised not to attend the event, then I believe Nigel above the police, and especially above you lot at the BBC.

Essex Police said it had a proportionate and robust policing operation to ensure the safety and security of all participants at Clacton, as it's understood the force did not advise anyone not to attend the count.

A spokesperson for the service said: "We have a proportionate and robust policing operation to ensure the safety and security of all participants in the count."

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