A Christmas party for Reform Croydon was due to take place at the Grand Sapphire Hotel today (December 4), but the venue confirmed yesterday (December 3) it had withdrawn the booking “to safeguard staff, hotel residents and attendees”.
It comes after Inside Croydon reported concerns from members of the Croydon Muslim community, who said they were “deeply offended” that the hotel would host the event.
The hotel, which is owned by Pakistani-born businessman Suleman Raza, sold tickets for the dinner priced at up to £350, with VIP tables.
The party was supposed to be hosted by Reform deputy leader Richard Tice, Lee Anderson MP and former London Assembly member Keith Prince.
Tice told GB News the cancellation was “an attack on free speech” and claimed the hotel had been “bullied” into its decision.
He said more than 200 tickets had been sold and the contract was worth over £20,000.
Reform UK has threatened legal action against the venue and any others that cancel future bookings.
In a statement on X, the Grand Sapphire said it acted “responsibly despite incurring financial loss due to this cancellation”.
A statement on X says: “The Christmas Fundraiser Dinner scheduled for 4th December at the Grand Sapphire has been cancelled.
“This decision has been taken in accordance with our lawful duty to safeguard our staff, hotel residents, and attendees of the event at this time.
“During discussions with the organisers, all reasonable options were considered, including the offer of postponement.”
The statement added: “The decision to cancel was based solely on our duty of care and the need to act responsibly despite incurring financial loss due to this cancellation.”
We’ve contacted Reform UK for a comment.
