Council-owned hotel cancels planned launch of new political party

A HOTEL owned by Newcastle City Council has cancelled a planned conference that it is understood would have seen the launch of a new political party, Advance UK, which is backed by Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk.

- By JAMES ROBINSON

Advance UK, led by ex-Reform co-deputy leader Ben Habib, was due to host the launch event at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday.

However, Newcastle City Council, which took ownership of the hotel in March, has confirmed the event has now been cancelled on "health and safety" grounds, in a decision made by hotel management.

In August, Robinson - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - posted on social media platform X to say he was 'putting his faith' in Mr Habib and Advance.

Advance announced plans to launch the party on Saturday in Newcastle in August, although details of the venue were not made public.

Speaking at the time, Mr Habib said the party was "rapidly building the ground team needed to fight the next general election".

A spokesman for the city council said: "We are aware that hotel management has taken the decision to cancel a forthcoming event scheduled for Saturday, 27 September on health and safety grounds.

"As the owner of the hotel, we absolutely support their decision to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff members, guests and visitors to the hotel. As in any situation, the safety of all those in our city is our absolute priority."