A RALLY planned by Nigel Farage’s campaign group “vote power not poverty” that had been due to take place in Bolton has been cancelled.

The rally, hosted by the right-wing former political candidate, was set to take place at the Bolton Whites Hotel later this month, but Bolton Wanderers FC has this morning confirmed that the event will not be happening.

Mr Farage had been due to speak at a “Vote Power Not Poverty” rally, which campaigns against “net zero” environmental policies but which critics have accused of opposing measures crucial to tackling climate change

A statement issued by the club said: “A 'Vote Power Not Poverty' Rally scheduled for later this month at the Bolton Whites Hotel will not be happening.

“The event has been cancelled by BWFC and is not something the club and business wishes to be associated with.”

Before the cancellation was announced the group had been keen to promote its meeting in Bolton as its first ever rally.

As well as the former UKIP and Brexit Party leader, it was also due to feature Reform Party leader Richard Tice and commentator Dominique Taegon.

The campaign group claims that its aim is to demand a referendum on the government’s proposed Net Zero policies, which it claims will be “life changing.”

A statement issued by Vote Power Not Poverty said: “We all care about the environment and want cleaner air.

“We all want to do our bit. But Westminster’s Net Zero is the wrong bit, at the wrong price, in the wrong timeframe.”

But the planned event had proven to be controversial both due to the nature of the campaign group itself, which critics have dubbed to be environmentally destructive and a lobbyist for fossil fuel companies and also due to the highly divisive nature of Mr Farage himself.

The Bolton rally was intended to have been the first of a series of such events to be held across the country over the spring and summer of this year.