The Rochdale by-election descended further into farce tonight as a candidate was refused entry to a hustings.
Reform UK’s Simon Danczuk was barred from entering the meeting at Wardleworth Community Centre.
Security refused to let Mr Danczuk enter despite some of the other candidates cancelling.
Reform UK accused rival candidate George Galloway’s supporters of organising a husting to “make Galloway look good”.
Leading Brexiteer and Reform’s Honourary President, Nigel Farage, warned: “Disgraceful scenes in Rochdale. Our democracy is failing.
Mr Danczuk said: “This sham hustings was organised to try and make Galloway look good, the organisers didn’t want his main challenger speaking and questioning Galloway’s Gaza agenda. How can a candidate look good if he refuses to debate.
“I explained to the organisers that basic concepts of British democracy meant that all candidates should have the opportunity to address the public, but they still refused me entry.
“And all they wanted to do was debate Gaza in the corridor. It’s clear that their idol, Galloway is now running scared and cannot cope with scrutiny.”
