Nigel Farage's visit to Ipswich Town has sparked controversy after messages revealed he was invited by club consultant James Pearce on behalf of chairman Mark Ashton. The Reform UK leader posed for photos with personalised 'Farage 10' shirts and sat in the changing room during Monday's visit, which the club initially claimed was a private tour.

Messages seen by the BBC show Pearce contacting Farage to arrange a meeting, later confirmed by Pearce who said Ashton was unaware of the approach at that stage. During the visit, Farage filmed a promotional video using the club's branding, holding a personalised shirt and signing an Ipswich Town home shirt. He later told the BBC he had received an invitation from the club.

The Championship club initially denied knowledge of the visit before stating it was 'apolitical' and does not 'support or endorse any individual party'. Some fans expressed disappointment, with one calling it using the club 'as a political football', while others were less concerned. The club has declined to comment on specific questions about who arranged the visit and whether it knew about the promotional use of its branding.