Overview
- Advance UK leader Ben Habib said on X that the party will still launch in Newcastle on Saturday, calling it a firm commitment.
- Newcastle City Council confirmed the cancellation and backed the hotel’s decision, noting the authority owns the site but a separate company operates it.
- Community group Newcastle Unites had urged the council to pull the event, adding pressure around the planned conference.
- North East mayor Kim McGuinness and council leader Karen Kilgour condemned the party and its high-profile backers, invoking the city’s City of Sanctuary values.
- The new party has been publicly endorsed by Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk, and Robinson later threatened to stand against McGuinness after her criticism.