Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice has slammed “the establishment” after Nigel Farage was denied an invitation to a star-studded Windsor Castle state banquet for French President Emmanuel Macron. The glitzy event was attended by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, as well as the Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet, but Reform UK leader Mr Farage was excluded.
Mr Tice said he did not believe the decision was made by the King, the event’s official host, but blamed “someone in the establishment.” He insisted: “I think the establishment needs to come to terms with what millions of people in Britain are sensing and thinking, which is that the two main parties have messed up this country. We are in a terrible state, and there is an alternative out there.”
The snub came after the French President held private meetings with Sir Ed and Mrs Badenoch during his three-day state visit to the UK – but not with Mr Farage.
Speaking on Politico’s Westminster Insider podcast, Mr Tice revealed what the Reform UK leader would have told the French President if given the chance.
“If he had met Nigel then frankly I think the message would have been pretty uncompromising, that the french need to stop the migrant boats otherwise the British will stop the french fishing boats,” Mr Tice said.
Asked if he and Mr Farage should have attended the banquet, Mr Tice said: “Of course we should”.
He said: “The fact that he also wasn’t invited to the state dinner when there were hundreds attending – seriously? What is that? Is that spiteful? I doubt it was forgetful, they are always great at these things.”
Those who did attend the banquet included Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John, actress Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas, First Dates star Fred Sirieux and former England goalkeeper Mary Earps.
The menu included a selection of tender summer Vegetables from the gardens of Le Manoir with sage, raw tomato and extra virgin olive oil dressing, followed by supreme of Rhug Estate chicken with Norfolk asparagus and tarragon cream.
Desert was iced blackcurrant Parfait on a blackcurrant-soaked sponge with elderflower jelly.
The wine list included Domaine Evremond, Classic Cuvee, Edition I, NV; Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Etienne Sauzet, 2022; Chateau Haut-Brion; 1er Grand Cru Classe Pessac-Leognan, 1996, and Louis Roederer, Carte Blanche, NV.
Following dinner, guests were served Taylor’s 1977 Vintage Port and a 1948 Grande Champagne Cognac by Frapin & Co.
As well as Sir Keir, who was joined by wife Victoria, Labour politicians attending included Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, along with her husband, former Labour MP Ed Balls, as well as Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey.