It is the second time Nigel Farage has had items thrown at him during the 2024 election campaign.
By Alix Culbertson, Political reporter @alixculbertson
A man has been charged with using threatening behaviour towards Nigel Farage as he campaigned in South Yorkshire.
Josh Greally, 28, has been charged with using “threatening, abusive, insulting words and behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence following an incident in Barnsley Town Centre yesterday”, a spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said.
Objects were thrown towards the Reform UK leader while he was campaigning from the top level of an open-top bus in Barnsley, South Yorkshire on Tuesday.
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Mr Farage was shaking his fist to acknowledge cheers from people below when something appeared to hit the side of the vehicle.
The politician raised his arm as he spotted the object flying in – but it missed him.
The incident came after a woman threw a milkshake over Mr Farage last week in Clacton in Essex – the constituency he will contest in the election.
Victoria Thomas Bowen, 25, has been charged with assault by beating and criminal damage over the Clacton incident.
It is understood the Home Office is in discussions to provide personal private security to Mr Farage – an offer available to all candidates – although he won’t be given extra police protection beyond local forces being kept informed of his movements.
Police believe there are no practical security arrangements that would remove the risk of someone walking up to a politician to throw a milkshake at them, with candidates unlikely to want to campaign in a security bubble.
The number of intelligence reports on threats to MPs and potential MPs has dropped in May and June since earlier this year but senior officers believe this could be down to reduced reporting, with candidates away from the usual ways to raise concerns in Westminster.
Mr Farage had initially said he would not stand to become an MP as he wanted to focus on the US election in November, but he quickly changed his mind about standing and also became leader of Reform, the party he helped set up that was formerly called the Brexit Party.
He has previously stood to be an MP seven times but has yet to be successful.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
