Councillor Raises Concerns Over Far-Right Meeting at Wootton Bridge Community Centre

An Isle of Wight councillor has expressed alarm over plans for a far-right political party to hold a meeting at Wootton Bridge Community Centre later this month.

Cllr Geoff Brodie, who represents Pan and Barton, criticised the forum organised by Advance UK, which is scheduled for 18 October.

The event is set to feature Advance UK leader Ben Habib and is being hosted by Sarah Morris, formerly Reform UK’s 2024 general election candidate for Isle of Wight East.

The community centre is owned by County Hall but leased to the Wootton Bridge Community Association, a registered charity.

The Charity Commission is now assessing concerns over “alleged political activity” at the venue to determine whether any regulatory action is needed.

On its Charity Commission page, the Wootton Bridge Community Association states its objective as promoting the benefit of local residents “without distinction of… political… opinions.”

Cllr Brodie described the planned meeting as “abhorrent” and questioned whether it aligns with the charity’s stated objectives.

He highlighted that last year the venue denied access to a local campaign group on similar grounds.

He added:

“Immigration, whether legal or illegal, is being used by certain politicians to divide people at a time when most societal problems lie with governments.

"Blaming people fleeing danger is not the way forward.”

The meeting has also been flagged with the Isle of Wight Council, which has not commented.

The Wootton Bridge Community Association declined to respond to requests for comment.

Advance UK has not yet replied to requests for a statement.