Chaos as authorities close down 'right-wing' conference with Farage and Braverman as speakers

16 April 2024, 14:28 | Updated: 16 April 2024, 15:06

Authorities attempted to shut down the NatCon conference
Authorities have started to shut down the NatCon conference. Picture: Getty Images

By Flaminia Luck

A "right-wing" conference with Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman as speakers has descended into chaos as authorities have begun to shut it down.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The former UKIP leader was on stage at the National Conservatism when police arrived at the venue, ahead of a speech by the former Home Secretary.

Reports on social media suggest that the event was given 15 minutes to shut down with police entering the building.

Farage has blasted the move describing it a "disgrace" and saying that it is proof free speech is being stifled.

"For the Mayor and police to shut down a peaceful political event makes me more convinced of Brexit than ever" he said on Twitter.

He added: "We can see that legally held opinions from people who are going to win national elections is no longer acceptable, here in Brussels, the home of globalism.

"Because if you don't agree with an ever closer union, it must be a bad thing," he said.

Atendees were told by NatCon organiser Yoram Hazony that the conference would be closed "gradually" due to it causing a "public disturbance".

He assured guests they would continue tomorrow morning at a different venue.

Read more: easyJet cancels all flights to Israel for six months amid fears of wider regional conflict in Middle East

Members of the Belgian police enter into the venue
Members of the Belgian police enter into the venue. Picture: Getty

Wes Streeting mocked the former Home Sec while speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

"She's currently in Brussels surrounded by the police who are trying to shut down the event she's attending with some far-right fanatics with whom she has much in common," he said.

The two-day conference also includes Hungarian leader Viktor Orban in the line-up.

Emir Kir, the mayor of Brussels district Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, said he had issued an order banning the National Conservatism conference from taking place on Tuesday "to guarantee public safety".

He added: "In Etterbeek, in Brussels City and in Saint-Josse, the far-right is not welcome."

Police block the entrance of the Claridge hotel in Brussesl where is held the "NatCon" national conservatism conference
Police block the entrance of the Claridge hotel in Brussesl where NatCon is being held. Picture: Getty

The conference had already struggled to find a venue, with two event spaces cancelling in the face of public pressure.

Rishi Sunak had faced pressure to block Ms Braverman's attendance at the conference, with Labour shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth urging him to stop the former home secretary "giving oxygen to these divisive and dangerous individuals".

The National Conservatism Conference said it aims to bring together voices from across Europe to share their views on the continent's future political outlook.

Around 40 leading figures from the conservative and religious right and far-right were invited to take part.

Read more: Liz Truss admits she kept 'bugging' Boris Johnson in hospital when he was recovering from Covid

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Jaguar Land Rover has paused shipments to the US in the wake of 'Liberation Day' tariffs

Jaguar Land Rover halts shipments to US in wake of tariffs as Trump insists he'll win 'economic revolution'

The fire happened at Goldenbeach Holiday Park, Roman Bank, Ingoldmells.

Two people killed in caravan fire at holiday park in Lincolnshire

Easter eggs have been recalled over a potential risk of 'metal'

'Do not eat' warning as major chocolate brand recalls two Easter eggs amid fears they contain metal

Flowers and toys left on a swing seat to commemorate victims killed in Russia's missile attack on Friday

Death toll from Russian strike on Zelenskyy's home town rises as 18 confirmed dead - including nine children

Lucy Connolly

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for racial hatred tweet after Southport attacks 'denied temporary release'

The scene at Beckenham Place Park

Body found in search for teenage boy who went missing while swimming in lake in south-east London

Molly Russell took her own life in 2017.

Meta and Pinterest 'make secret donation to Molly Russell charity'

Elton John

Sir Elton John says he 'can't read, watch TV or see his boys play rugby' as he opens up about health battle

Exclusive
Corby steelworks pictured in 1981

Families in former industrial town call for probe into rare child cancer after botched clean-up of steelworks

The stabbing happened on Ramsden Street in Huddersfield.

Man, 20, charged with murder after 16-year-old boy stabbed to death in Huddersfield

Donald Trump's 10% tariff on UK products has officially come into force

Trump tariffs come into force as global stock markets plunge deeper into the red

File photo dated 19-05-2024 of Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne lifting the Premier League trophy with team-mates.

Kevin De Bruyne to leave Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola calls him 'one of greatest midfielders to play in England'

Stock markets plummeted on Friday

Starmer 'pushing for Trump royal visit this year' as UK bids for US trade deal - after tariffs spark turmoil in markets

Tom Howard

British tourist killed after being struck by boulder on trek through Himalayas

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, a car burns following a Russian missile attack that killed more than a dozen people, including children, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Russia kills 16 people including three children in missile strike on Zelenskyy's home town, with dozens wounded

Travel influencer Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, made an illegal visit to North Sentinel Island

Tourist who left Coke for world's most isolated tribe 'could have wiped them all out' - and police 'can't go collect can'