Boney of contention: disco legends at war over Reform conference show

But now, awkwardly, the band’s original singer has hit out at the band for taking part, describing them as “fake” and “reckless” and accusing them of “selling their souls”.

As Rats noted last month, it was not entirely clear which version of Boney M would turn up in the West Midlands, since the band have been tied up in decades of legal wrangles over who owns the name. At one point, four separate Boney Ms, all featuring different previous members, were performing legally after a spate of nasty fall-outs. Sounded perfect for Reform UK, then, whose leading figures are increasingly at each other’s throats!

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In the event, the Boney M which performed for Reform was that of Maizie Williams, the dancer who didn’t actually sing on any of the recorded versions of the band’s original songs. And their appearance has raised the ire of Liz Mitchell, the act’s original singer who also still tours their back catalogue.

In a statement, Mitchell said it was “important that the UK continues to be a welcoming place for immigrants and those seeking asylum“, after her father came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation.

She said she was “saddened” that “reckless fake people who have no idea how these songs were sung and the powerful meaning behind them could dare to pretend to be who they are not”, accusing those performing at the conference of “selling their souls” and “their race” at an event that “has not embraced people who are in need”.

“My father came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation, building a life here where he was very happy,” she wrote in a statement. “I too came here from Jamaica and was awarded an MBE for my services to Music and Charity. It’s important that the UK continues to be a welcoming place for immigrants and those seeking asylum.”

Meanwhile, Williams’s own Boney M have since sought to distance themselves from Reform and their politics. Williams’s manager, Donavon Nelson, denied any political affiliation with Reform UK when contacted by dpa, the German press agency.

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According to the magazine Stern: “Nelson stated that they do not support any political party and do not interfere in politics. The event was initially announced as a celebration following a conference. Only later did it become known that it was a Reform UK event.” (Although they could have read it in Rats in a Sack.)

And in further musical news, it appears the man behind the tune to which Nigel Farage arrived on stage for his keynote speech was not particularly enamoured with its use either.

Farage emerged to wedding favourite Come On Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners. But posting on the group’s social media channels lead singer Kevin Rowland said: “I, Kevin Rowland (the son of Irish immigrants) and the main songwriter of Come On Eileen, am disgusted to learn that Nigel Farage has used our Dexys Midnight Runners’ song to make his entrance for his party conference speech. Myself, and all of Dexys are passionately against Farage’s politics.”

All in all, another triumph for the Reform conference team!