A Bonfire Night effigy of Nigel Farage holding rioters on a leash has sparked a fresh ‘two-tier policing’ row after police described the event as “spectacular”.
November 5 revellers in Lewes, East Sussex, watched on as political floats and effigies made their way through the county town – and though the tradition dates back centuries, this year’s inclusion of Nigel Farage has come under fire.
In the Farage effigy, the Reform UK leader can be seen sitting in an armchair, pint of ale and cigarette in hand, holding a pair of rioters on a chain leash.
The effigies are created by “bonfire societies” over a period of months – and each one is then burned at bonfire locations after being paraded through the streets.
But party chairman Zia Yusuf has raised questions over the police’s response to the Farage figure.
The Reform UK leader can be seen sitting in an armchair, pint of ale and cigarette in hand, holding a pair of rioters on a chain leash
PA
Writing on social media, Yusuf said: “The Left burn an effigy of a right-wing MP and get a statement of thanks from the police.
“If the effigy had been of Sadiq Khan, Diane Abbott or David Lammy, the arrests would have been immediate – with long prison sentences handed down in record time.
“The two-tiered policing in this country is obvious. Only one party is brave enough to talk about it.”
He also included a statement from Sussex Police Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges, who said: “We thank the public for their support to ensure the Lewes Bonfire celebrations were once again a spectacular event that have been enjoyed safely.”
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The Free Speech Union laid into the portrayal of Farage as a ‘rabble-rouser’
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‘If the effigy had been of Sadiq Khan, Diane Abbott or David Lammy, the arrests would have been immediate,’ Zia Yusuf said
GETTY
The effigy also drew condemnation from the Free Speech Union, who laid into the portrayal of Farage as a “rabble-rouser”.
A spokesman from the group told GB News: “The people who create these effigies think they’re being daring and subversive – fighting the power.
“In fact, they’re just regurgitating the mainstream media and the political class’s demonisation of Nigel Farage as a ‘far-right’ rabble-rouser.
“They are acting as the handmaidens of the elite, not a thorn in its side.”
Sussex Police told GB News that ‘any reports made to police relating to effigies will be investigated’
PA
In response to Yusuf’s social media post, a Sussex Police spokesman told GB News: “Effigies have long been a tradition at Lewes Bonfire Night, with high-profile politicians and celebrities who have recently been in the news typically being featured among processions.
“The event organisers have made it clear that they have no intention to cause any offence to anyone by the choice of their effigies.
“However, any reports made to police relating to effigies will be investigated.”