Clacton by-election LIVE: Nigel Farage shuns count after ‘advice from Essex Police’

Nigel Farage has declared an "overwhelming" win in the Clacton by-election - but is not attending the count because he does not want to be “demeaned and humiliated by nobodies”. The Reform UK leader pre-empted the official announcement of the result by telling supporters he had secured more than the 21,225 votes he won when he took the seat at the 2024 general election.However, speaking at a “Farage Fest” event in Essex, he said he would dodge the traditional declaration after being given notice of an “organised campaign” to “disrupt and degrade the result”. He said: “I’m damned if I’m going to stand on a stage, having won a resounding victory, a ringing endorsement of all that I’ve tried to fight for, and you’ve tried to fight for, and be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies, and I will not sadly be attending the count.”Follow below for the latest updates...Essex Police has not advised Farage to dodge the countEssex Police did not advise any Clacton candidate to not attend the by-election count.The force said in a statement: "We have a proportionate and robust policing operation to ensure the safety and security of all participants in the count." Farage has confirmed he will not be attending because police told him of "an organised campaign to disrupt and degrade the result". He told an event he would not be "demeaned and humiliated by nobodies" and a spokesperson for the party claimed there was a "credible threat" against him.Could by-election backfire for Farage? He was always going to win but the question was by how much, and why he quit in the first place.The Reform UK leader evokes strong feelings among voters, with very roughly a fifth or a quarter of them backing the party, according to recent polls.Whether people think he has achieved this may partly depend on whether they are pro or anti-Farage.Reform UK leader Nigel Farage enjoys a pint at The Ship in Kirby le Soken after voting in ClactonPAReform cancel's Farage 'victory lap'Nigel Farage’s planned “victory lap” after winning the Clacton by-election has been cancelled. A Reform UK spokesman confirmed the event planned for later this morning would not go ahead. It comes after Mr Farage announced that he will not be attending the election count because police informed him of "an organised campaign to disrupt and degrade the result". He said he did not want to be "demeaned and humiliated by nobodies" and a Reform UK spokesman said there was a "credible threat" against him. But Ian Davidson, who is in charge of the by-election, insisted the count was "safe and secure”. He added: “I do not believe there is any threat serious enough to be able to call off the count."Why was the by-election called?Nigel Farage triggered the by-election by quitting as MP for Clacton.He urged voters in Clacton to use the by-election to "stick two fingers up at the establishment".Mr Farage denies any wrongdoing. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage arrives to cast his vote in the Clacton by-election in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex PA WireReturning officer: 'No reason not to proceed with count'Acting returning officer for the by-election, chief executive of Tendring District Council Ian Davidson has said there is a “robust policing operation” in place.He told the count after Mr Farage’s speech: “We work very closely with Essex Police and have done so throughout this process, and continue to do so tonight, and we will be continuing the count, as we always do, in a safe and secure manner.”In a later statement, Mr Davidson said: “We have worked closely with Essex Police colleagues to ensure the election process is completed safely and securely, as is evident from the level of security we have in place here today.“This includes a robust policing operation throughout the day and including at the count.“It is a candidate’s decision whether or not to attend the count.“However I want to reassure people we have no reason not to proceed with the count process at this time.”Farage shuns Clacton by-election count after ‘advice from Essex Police’Nigel Farage has said he will not attend the Clacton by-election count after advice from Essex Police about a plot to embarrass him on stage during the announcement of the result.Speaking at a “Farage Fest” event in Essex, organised by Reform UK, that he would dodge the traditional declaration of the results after being given notice of an “organised campaign” to “disrupt and degrade the result”.Mr Farage said: “I’m sad to say that after 33 years of being a candidate in active politics, I’ve been advised tonight by Essex Police that there is an organised campaign to disrupt and degrade the result that will take place in a few hours’ time.“Once again it shows you the sheer intolerance, the sheer loss of fundamental democratic principles that those that went before us, fought in world wars, to fight for and preserve.”Mr Farage added: “I’m not scared of these people, far from it. But I’m damned if I’m going to stand on a stage, having won a resounding victory, a ringing endorsement of all that I’ve tried to fight for, and you’ve tried to fight for, and be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies, and I will not sadly be attending the count.”Good morningWelcome to our live coverage of the Clacton by-election result. Counting is under way in the Essex seaside town in a contest that has pitted Reform UK leader Nigel Farage against an array of fringe candidates - including a man with a bin on his head.Stay with us as we bring you the build up to the declaration, the result and all the reaction. Election workers count ballots at Clacton Leisure Centre after voting closed in yesterday’s by-electionGetty