How I was nearly ejected from Reform UK's chaotic party conference

A demonstrator shouts whilst Reform UK leader Nigel Farage delivers a keynote speech during the Reform UK National Conference, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham | PA

As Reform leader Nigel Farage’s speech was delayed by protests, a young west of Scotland security guard and his colleague pulled me and another young journalist to the side.

He told us there had been a complaint, that he would take a photo of our passes and then we would be ejected from the room.

When I asked who had complained and what the complaint was, I was told that I had shouted something at Mr Farage as he toured the front of the stage.

A heckler is removed during Nigel Farage's speech at the Reform UK National Conference, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham | PA

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I informed them that I had not shouted anything at Mr Farage, and that I would not be leaving the room because it was my job to report on Mr Farage’s speech.

The Scot then asked if I had been with the other journalist who they had ejected, and I told him I was not.

He then said I and the other journalist were free to return to the front of the stage - but only after they took pictures of our passes. He told me he had given us “the benefit of the doubt”.

The Scotsman's Westminster Correspondent Andrew Quinn | Lisa Ferguson/The Scotsman

Someone suggested they were suspicious of student-looking people in the room.

My middle parting and moustache may have been what caused concern.

By the time I returned to the front of the stage, Mr Farage was already speaking.