Musician Fatboy Slim has expressed strong disapproval after learning that one of his most popular tracks was played at a gathering organised by Reform UK.

The event took place on Wednesday as part of Reform’s local election activities and was hosted at the South of England Showground in Ardingly.

Marketed as an energetic, broadcast-style occasion, the function included fireworks, upbeat promotional music and various speakers.

As guests settled into their places, popular songs spanning multiple decades filled the venue, including selections from Taylor Swift alongside work by Brighton’s own Norman Cook, the artist behind the Fatboy Slim brand.

His 1998 release Right Here Right Now accompanied attendees as they found their seats.

The DJ was far from pleased upon discovering the track had been featured at the gathering, stating to The Argus that he felt appalled.

Cook explained that his compositions are meant to unite individuals through harmony and togetherness.

He stated that he respectfully requests that Reform refrain from using his material at their functions.

The artist indicated that he considers certain elements of Reform’s ideology to be connected to fear of foreigners and racial prejudice, and he objects to his work being associated with the party.

This marks no inaugural occasion for the DJ to challenge political organisations over the use of his recordings.

In 2004, Cook communicated his distress and anger when Labour incorporated Right Here Right Now into their election campaign.

He recalled feeling disturbed at the notion that his friends might assume he had officially endorsed Labour’s utilisation of the track, or that covertly he had been in secret communication with Blair to devise this strategy and earn money.

The inclusion of the song suggests endorsement of Blair, Cook noted, adding that he harbours a definitive objection to the conflict in Iraq, describing it as unwarranted and placing primary blame on Blair for involvement.

Subsequently in 2012, he declined the Conservative Party’s request to play Happiness at their conference.

He observed that the Conservatives at least demonstrated courtesy by seeking permission initially, unlike Labour.

Nonetheless, the Conservatives continue to rank as his least preferred political party, resulting in an unequivocal refusal, he stated.

He questioned whether Happiness might represent the Conservatives’ emerging approach, suggesting time would reveal the answer.