This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/rotherham-protest-forces-nigel-farage-to-cancel-ribboncutting-ceremony-for-police-escort-to-car-10029420.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rotherham protest forces Nigel Farage to cancel ribbon-cutting ceremony for police escort to car Nigel Farage forced to cancel Rotherham ribbon-cutting ceremony for new office amid protests over child sex abuse 'rubber-necking'
(about 20 hours later)
Ukip leader Nigel Farage abandoned a public appearance in Rotherham today and was escorted by police into a car for safety amid a protest and accusations of “rubber-necking” at child sex abuse victims.Ukip leader Nigel Farage abandoned a public appearance in Rotherham today and was escorted by police into a car for safety amid a protest and accusations of “rubber-necking” at child sex abuse victims.
He was due to cut the ribbon at the new campaign office for MP candidate Jane Collins – who is poised to challenge the Labour seat – but police told him not to exit the building, his team said.He was due to cut the ribbon at the new campaign office for MP candidate Jane Collins – who is poised to challenge the Labour seat – but police told him not to exit the building, his team said.
Mr Farage insisted he was the victim of “trade union-funded” bullying in the South Yorkshire town and a party spokesman claimed the group of around 40 protesters were “hard-line Socialist Workers”.Mr Farage insisted he was the victim of “trade union-funded” bullying in the South Yorkshire town and a party spokesman claimed the group of around 40 protesters were “hard-line Socialist Workers”.
A woman breastfeeding her child stood directly outside the Ukip office and demonstrators wore cardboard cut-outs that looked like breasts in protest to Mr Farage’s comments that women should hide to breastfeed in public.A woman breastfeeding her child stood directly outside the Ukip office and demonstrators wore cardboard cut-outs that looked like breasts in protest to Mr Farage’s comments that women should hide to breastfeed in public.
A woman breastfeeds her daughter at the demonstration Many protesters were said to have been noisy, with most carrying placards saying “Reject Ukip lies”, “Ukip not wanted here” and “grief vulture” while shouting that Mr Farage was not welcome.A woman breastfeeds her daughter at the demonstration Many protesters were said to have been noisy, with most carrying placards saying “Reject Ukip lies”, “Ukip not wanted here” and “grief vulture” while shouting that Mr Farage was not welcome.
Labour MP Sarah Champion, said his visit was to “rubber-neck” the victims after a damning report into mishandling of child sex abuse allegations saw the government take over the council’s functions.Labour MP Sarah Champion, said his visit was to “rubber-neck” the victims after a damning report into mishandling of child sex abuse allegations saw the government take over the council’s functions.
Nigel Farage was told he was not welcome in the town She wrote on Twitter: “.@daily_politics crew are now stuck in the UKIP shop as its surrounded by protesters at Farage coming to #Rotherham to rubberneck.”Nigel Farage was told he was not welcome in the town She wrote on Twitter: “.@daily_politics crew are now stuck in the UKIP shop as its surrounded by protesters at Farage coming to #Rotherham to rubberneck.”
.@daily_politics crew are now stuck in the UKIP shop as its surrounded by protesters at Farage coming to #Rotherham to rubberneck..@daily_politics crew are now stuck in the UKIP shop as its surrounded by protesters at Farage coming to #Rotherham to rubberneck.
Mr Farage denied he was exploiting the cases of child sex abuse to stir up conflict, however he blamed society’s ills on “divisions” that he believes are caused by multiculturalism.Mr Farage denied he was exploiting the cases of child sex abuse to stir up conflict, however he blamed society’s ills on “divisions” that he believes are caused by multiculturalism.
“We’re the one party that’s warned consistently against division within society and multiculturalism and we’ve warned against it for years,” he said.“We’re the one party that’s warned consistently against division within society and multiculturalism and we’ve warned against it for years,” he said.
“We want interculturalism. We’ve got different religions and faiths but we have to mix together and live under one law.”“We want interculturalism. We’ve got different religions and faiths but we have to mix together and live under one law.”
The Ukip leader had to abandon the public appearance He and his party issued statements saying that the protesters were intent on “stifling democratic debate” by holding a protest and that Ukip are “trying to change [the town] for the better”.The Ukip leader had to abandon the public appearance He and his party issued statements saying that the protesters were intent on “stifling democratic debate” by holding a protest and that Ukip are “trying to change [the town] for the better”.
The statement said: “These protesters aren’t the real people of Rotherham. This is the Labour Party running scared and trying to shut down any voice of opposition.”The statement said: “These protesters aren’t the real people of Rotherham. This is the Labour Party running scared and trying to shut down any voice of opposition.”
Ukip has 10 councillors in the town in order to gain one of its main target seats in the north of England.Ukip has 10 councillors in the town in order to gain one of its main target seats in the north of England.