Advance UK said it still plans to go ahead with its Newcastle launch despite its hotel booking being cancelled on health and safety grounds. The party, led by Ben Habib and backed by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, had been due to hold the Advance UK Newcastle launch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Saturday.
The venue, which is owned by Newcastle City Council but operated by a separate company, withdrew the booking after online criticism. A council spokesperson said: “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.”
Habib told supporters online that “no threats or smears” would stop the Advance UK Newcastle launch taking place, although he has not said when or where in the city. “Our members have a right for political association and gathering,” he said. “We will peaceably exercise that right without fear.”
Labour North East Mayor Kim McGuinness condemned Robinson’s involvement, saying: “His brand of hate and division offers the people of the North East absolutely nothing. If his group comes here to launch a new political party on Saturday, we make clear we see them for what they are.”
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, publicly backed Advance UK in August, describing it as a new “political home”. In response, Habib sought to distance his movement from Robinson’s image, stating in a video: “Tommy Robinson is one member of over 35,000 members in Advance UK, just as the other 35,000 plus members do not represent Advance UK, nor does Tommy Robinson. As far as the charge of racism is concerned, I want everyone to know that I am leader of Advance UK and my father is a Pakistani Muslim.”
Advance UK, formerly the Integrity Party, was relaunched in summer 2025 following Habib’s split from Reform UK. Since then it has claimed more than 30,000 members, drawn defectors from Reform and aligned itself with populist causes, including opposition to global institutions. Its growing profile has attracted attention and controversy, not least when Robinson joined in September and when Elon Musk posted his support online.
Newcastle now finds itself at the centre of the party’s official debut. Even without a confirmed venue, the Advance UK Newcastle launch has already become a flashpoint, exposing the difficulties the group faces in moving beyond online rhetoric and into the public square.
