Big, brave Nige shows face in public again with aimless speech to a few mega-fans | John Crace

Reform leader’s recycled moanathon included digs at Kemi, the media, immigrants and new PM. But no questions, of course Is it safe? Is it safe? For the past couple of months, Nigel Farage has been like Laurence Olivier in Marathon Man, wondering if he can come out of hiding. Tucked away in one of his five homes, living on handouts from benefactors and hoping the coast is clear. Free from troublesome reporters who insist on asking awkward questions about where his money comes from and what it’s for. It’s tough to be the Man of the People when some of your money is coming from a posh convicted fraudster. Then again, Nige is a man who seems quick to forgive criminal behaviour. But – slowly, slowly – he is beginning to show his face in public again. And on Tuesday he took the latest steps on his Long Walk to Freedom. Fed up with posting videos from random fields on social media, Nige was now ready to face a crowd of about 200 mega-fans in the garden of Kimberley Hall, a Norfolk country house often used as a wedding venue. For a speech, mind. Nothing more. There were to be no questions of any description. He might need his lawyers present for that. This was just baby steps. The first pa