• Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman address Brussels event amidst mayor’s order citing public safety concerns.
• The event organisers have announced their intention to attempt holding the event again tomorrow.
Authorities in Brussels have mandated the shutdown of a far-right conference featuring speeches by British politicians such as Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman.
The directive to prohibit the National Conservatism conference scheduled for Tuesday was issued “to guarantee public safety,” stated Emir Kir, the mayor of Brussels’ Saint-Josse-ten-Noode district.
Braverman, who has been endeavouring to build a support base on the right in Britain and abroad since her dismissal last year as home secretary, stepped onto the stage after police arrived to enforce the order to close the event.
Police entered the building at the invitation organisers, just as Farage was concluding his speech on stage. Subsequently, they exited and barred others from entering.
The conference had to relocate for the third time after previous venues canceled bookings. Concert Noble, a prestigious venue near the EU Commission and European Parliament, withdrew its support on Friday due to protests.
The venue was relocated to the Sofitel in Place Jourdan, just five minutes from the European Council headquarters. This hotel is often reserved for prime ministers, many of whom will be accommodated there for a leaders summit in Brussels on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, critics of the far-right also raised concerns about the decision made by local authorities, framing it as an assault on freedom of expression.
Nigel Farage has faced legal scrutiny and investigations due to his alleged past associations with extremism.
