NIGEL Farage’s group has hit back after a rally planned to take place at Bolton Wanderer’s ground was cancelled following a backlash from fans.

The “Vote Power Not Poverty” event, which calls for a referendum on the government’s Net Zero climate change policies, had been due to take place at the Bolton Whites Hotel on Saturday March 26 and would have featured Bolton West MP Chris Green and various campaigners alongside Mr Farage.

But after a backlash from fans, Bolton Wanderers FC announced yesterday that they were cancelling the event, a decision denounced by the group.

A Vote Power Not Poverty spokesperson said: “In a Moscow style rebuke to free speech, this decision is an attempt to stifle a much needed debate on the expensive consequences of the government’s Net Zero plans, when there are better solutions.

“This is particularly difficult to understand given that those consequences will be most felt in areas like Bolton. The old will die colder, poorer, sooner.

“The young will be burdened with higher costs, fewer jobs, less money.”

Mr Green, whose represents the area around Bolton Wanderer’s ground in parliament, was also critical of the decision to call of the event, which he says would have been “cross party.”

He said: “One of the key issues that constituents raise with me is the cost of living crisis and the cost of fuel.

“It’s a key political issue, made all the more important by the Russian attacks on Ukraine.”

He added: “I believe that this issue should be debated, it should be debated in my constituency and it should be debated across the country.”

But the decision has been welcomed by many Wanderers fans and by other regional leaders.

Northern Powerhouse Partnership director Henri Murison said: “Thousands of green jobs will be at risk should Farage get his way.

“What’s more, it will maintain Europe’s reliance on gas and oil, providing an economic lifeline to Putin and his regime. 

“He should be joining with northern communities who are organising help and donations for refugees, instead of serving the interests of a foreign aggressor.”

Bolton Wanderers FC did not wish to comment further.