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‘CANCEL CULTURE’
Right-wing NatCon conference is shut down by police during Nigel Farage’s speech as he rages over ‘monstrous’ decision
Farage has slammed the 'absolutely monstrous' decision to shut down the event
A HARD-LEFT Mayor was branded "monstrous" after sending in armed cops to shut down a right-wing conference addressed by Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman.
Chaos erupted at the NatCon meeting in Brussels when cops arrived and shut down the event on the orders of Belgian left-winger Emir Kir.
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A major diplomatic spat ensued with Rishi Sunak branding the clampdown on freedom of speech "deeply disturbing" while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was in "disbelief and dismay".
Condemnation from across the continent was quick to follow - with even Belgian PM Alexander De Croo branding the move "unacceptable" and "unconstitutional".
The court order, seen by this paper, suggested speeches could have led to public disorder and displayed racist and homophobic views.
It was issued by the Saint Josse's mayor, who wrote on social media the "far-right is not welcome" in his city.
Mr Farage, who was on the stage when the cops arrived, slammed the left-wing official's behaviour as "absolutely monstrous" and compared it to "the old Soviet Union".
The Brexit supremo told The Sun: "I am totally convinced that Brexit was the right thing to do, because this is how EU critical people are treated. It tells you why it was the wrong organisation to be part of.”
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Former Home Secretary Ms Braverman said it was "laughable" the "thought police" in Brussels were "sent out to shut down a conference of democratically elected politicians representing the views of millions of people".
Speaking after delivering her speech, she added: "They clearly didn’t want to hear about how we can secure our borders and protect our citizens. The more ridiculous their attempts to shut us down, the more cheered I am that we’re winning the arguments."
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A Number 10 spokeswoman said: “Clearly, these reports are extremely disturbing.
"The Prime Minister is a strong supporter and advocator for free speech and he believes that should be fundamental to any democracy.
“Speaking more broadly to the principle of such events, he is very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result.
“He is very clear that free debate and the exchange of views is vital, even where you disagree.”
NatCon organisers loudly cheered after seeing the Belgian leader had backed their cause publicly on social media on Tuesday evening.
Mr De Croo said: "What happened at the Claridge today is unacceptable. Municipal autonomy is a cornerstone of our democracy but can never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly since 1830. Banning political meetings is unconstitutional.Full stop."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is set to speak at the event tomorrow, also waded in on the row, saying: "I guess they couldn’t take free speech any longer.
"The last time they wanted to silence me with the police was when the Communists set them on me in ‘88. We didn’t give up then and we will not give up this time either!"
The conference had already struggled to find a venue, with two locations cancelling the booking in the face of public pressure.
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NatCon organisers ended up filing an emergency legal challenge to keep the conference going - but this meant cops barricaded the entrance, with attendees able to leave but not return for the entire day.
It is understood Tory MP Miriam Cates had to be smuggled into the venue wearing a headscarf in order to deliver her speech.
COMMENT: Nigel Farage is coming back
By HARRY COLE
I HAVE seen the future of the right wing in Britain and not a single serving Tory minister was there.
Love him or hate him, Nigel Farage is a giant of British politics.
Arguably his impact will be felt long after names such as David Cameron, George Osborne and Theresa May are mere answers in a pub quiz.
To use his usual bluster, without ever holding a seat in the mother of parliaments, Captain Nige basically steered the great ship Britain to a course of freedom like no other.
So when the Brexit stalwart turned 60 on Wednesday, it is worth paying attention to the guest list for his massive bash.
I gazed over a sea of oysters, tacos and frankly more than your fair share of billionaires — and I sensed a sea change.
The combined net worth of the craziest-dressed and coiffured in the room was, by my fag packet maths, about £4BILLION.
There were Ukip throwbacks, there were old boys from the City . . . and half of the TV schedule for anyone not on the BBC or Sky.
But there was also serious money from both sides of the Atlantic and some of Donald Trump’s most trusted advisers.
Ex-PM Liz Truss and her ever-loyal husband Hugh were politely entertaining overtures from well-oiled Sunday journalists.
A smattering of more hardline Tory MPs, including David Davis, Andrea Jenkyns and Mark Francois turned up.
But professionally conflicted ministers were nowhere to be found.
The Tory party was a mere footnote to the evening.
However, the next generation of Reform UK was on parade — despite the fact their leader’s partner was mysteriously absent.
Jim Davidson finally got another Big Break as the pinstriped compere, telling a joke about Joe Biden which if I recreated here would have me cancelled quicker than Truss fell.
The old-school comedy legend finally found a safe space in this tissue-wrapped woke world.
This was not a tough crowd as he tore into the Scottish First Minister who he would only refer to as Cat Stevens — geddit? — for wanting to arrest everyone in the room.
It was not a turn that would get an airing on telly these days, but you know what? No one cared.
While the current US President was the butt of the jokes, his likely successor actually turned up. Albeit in the form of a video message.
“I very much look forward to watching what your next move is going to be Nigel,” the ex/next President bellowed to the rammed Boisdale steakhouse booked out for the evening.
“It’s going to be an interesting one. But you are not done yet and hopefully the best is yet to come.”
A message to send a chill down the spine of Downing Street.
Nigel’s pals hint that he might sit the next election out and wait for the Tories to implode before trying to reunite the Right from the smouldering ruin.
But I suspect he can’t quite help himself: He is itching to come back.
And he will have the firepower to do so if he wanted — if Wednesday night’s booze-up was anything to go by anyway.
“This seems like the perfect occasion to make an announcement,” said the birthday boy when he finally took to the stage.
“But I genuinely haven’t made up my mind.”
I smell BS.
Nigel is coming back whether the Tory party have woken up to the fact or not.
And this time it could be a knockout blow.
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