Raise the Colours leader on bail attended Reform UK conference

• Ryan Bridge, leader of the Raise the Colours flag campaign, attended the Reform UK conference.
• Bridge was arrested on suspicion of religiously and racially aggravated harassment.
• Nigel Farage offered legal support to Bridge during the conference.
• Bridge is facing legal injunctions and a common assault trial.
• Reform UK did not comment on Bridge's attendance.

Ryan Bridge, the leader of the Raise the Colours flag campaign group, was granted access to the Reform UK annual conference despite being on bail following arrests for alleged religiously and racially aggravated harassment. Bridge, whose group has displayed numerous union and St George flags across England and has been accused of anti-immigrant sentiment, was invited to the event.

During a conference session, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage paid tribute to Bridge's campaign and personally offered legal assistance, stating, "If we can help you legally we will." This offer comes as Bridge faces an injunction in Oxfordshire and another from Birmingham city council, with the first hearing for the latter scheduled for Tuesday. Bridge has denied all wrongdoing.

Bridge's attendance at the conference, held on the outskirts of Birmingham, occurred while he is also facing a common assault trial in East Sussex, for which he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail. He defended his presence, suggesting that being accused of raising his country's flag was less severe than alleged daily criminal acts by the "far-left ultra NGOs."

Attendees at the Reform UK conference are typically members, lobbyists, business representatives, diplomats, or press, with commercial passes costing £650 and higher-tier tickets costing thousands. Bridge stated he received an invitation and decided to attend, noting he is not a member of Reform UK. The party did not respond to inquiries about Bridge's presence. The anti-fascist campaign group Hope Not Hate expressed shock at Bridge's attendance, calling him "extreme."