Reform Attacks Byline Times for ‘Attempting to Derail a Democratic Election’ Before Blaming ‘Muslim Sectarianism’ for Defeat

Having imported its own ideas for a DOGE and ICE from the US, Farage’s party now appears to be copying the Trumpian tactics of alleging vote-rigging in elections. Nafeez Ahmed, Peter Jukes and Hardeep Matharu report

Reform UK accused Byline Times of “attempting to derail a democratic election” for reporting on Matt Goodwin’s academic ties to organisations linked to discredited pseudoscientific race ideology – just days before the candidate lost the Gorton and Denton by-election, claiming this as evidence of “Muslim sectarianism” and calling into question whether it was a “free, fair, and democratic election”.

Goodwin – who came second in the Manchester constituency behind its new Green MP, Hannah Spencer – started questioning the vote’s legitimacy after polls closed on 26 February. He cited “family voting” as a particular concern – whereby a family member is seen to be influencing another person’s vote, such as by accompanying them in a polling booth.

His party leader, Nigel Farage, echoed the same issue following the result, with Reform reporting its allegations to Greater Manchester Police and the Electoral Commission.