Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has compared masked Muslim protesters in east London to a 'foreign invading army' following a demonstration in Tower Hamlets. The protest, which saw balaclava-clad men chanting in Arabic and waving Bangladesh and Palestine flags, was organized as a counter to a banned UKIP march intended to 'reclaim' the area. Farage described the scene as 'one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen in my life', and accused the protesters of intimidation and anti-Semitic rhetoric.

During the demonstration, some community leaders encouraged participants to cover their faces to avoid police identification, selling balaclavas and urging unity in defense of their community. The protest highlighted tensions in Tower Hamlets, which has the highest percentage of Muslim residents in the UK, with participants vowing to stand firm against perceived threats.

At a press conference, Farage also addressed controversy surrounding Reform MP Sarah Pochin, who apologized for comments about the prevalence of black and Asian people in television advertisements. Farage criticized her wording but did not label the remarks as racist, while other politicians called for stronger action against her. The incident has sparked debate about representation and fairness in British advertising.