Sam Journet (Basildon)14 noteworthy findings
controversy ×10 legal issue ×4
Legal: police complaint (concluded) 2025-09-08
No further action taken; bail conditions were imposed and later lifted“Cllr Sam Journet, who is running for re-election for Reform, was arrested last September on suspicion of stalking, harassment and a public order offence after facing complaints from council staff and elected officials about his conduct.” ↗Legal: police complaint (concluded) 2025-09-08
No further action“He has recently been arrested on suspicion of common assault in the council building.” ↗Legal: council standards (concluded) 2025-11-27
Committee asked Journet to apologise and attend training; he has not done so“On 27 November 2025 the council's Interim Monitoring Officer referred the matter to the Standards Committee. The committee asked Cllr Journet to apologise and attend training, which it is understood that he has not done.” ↗Legal: regulatory (concluded) 2026-03
Compulsory strike-off notice issued; accounts filed late (18 March 2026, roughly five and a half months late); no dissolution“Journet's company, Samuel Perry Jewellery Ltd, was the subject of enforcement action by Companies House which could have dissolved the company, starting in March this year.” ↗ControversySocial media conductBullyingHarassment
Sam Journet repeatedly posted inflammatory social media attacks on Basildon council leader Gavin Callaghan, calling him 'criminal', 'crooked, rotten, vile' and 'the crooked Callaghans', with at least one post including a photograph of Callaghan's home.“Journet has also repeatedly posted inflammatory statements about the council leader, branding him "criminal", "breaking the law," "crooked, rotten, vile" and referring to him and his wife, Cllr Emma Callaghan, as "the crooked Callaghans."” ↗ControversyBullyingHarassmentSocial media conductMisconduct
Sam Journet, Reform UK's Basildon leader, faced multiple misconduct allegations including arrest on suspicion of stalking and harassment of council staff, bullying a fellow Reform councillor (who quit citing his conduct), filming residents and staff with covert camera glasses, shaming a disabled young man online by calling him a 'terrorist', refusing a required DBS check, and late filing of company accounts.“Cllr Journet also publicly refused to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check that all Basildon councillors are required to hold. He is now understood to have completed the checks.” ↗ControversySocial media conductMisconduct
Sam Journet was accused by Basildon resident Kelly Horseley of falsely claiming on Facebook that she had chased Reform canvassers down the street swearing at them, when she was in fact recovering from pneumonia and physically unable to run.“Kelly Horseley, a Basildon resident, has stated on the record that Journet falsely claimed on Facebook that she had chased Reform canvassers down the street, swearing at them. She was recovering from pneumonia at the time” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaBullyingHarassment
Sam Journet was reported to police after an Islamophobic comment threatening to burn down a house if a 'Muslim P*ki' lived there was left live under one of his Facebook posts, amid wider complaints about his conduct including bullying, harassment, and filming residents with camera glasses.“Another Basildon resident, Katrina Tighe, reported Journet to the police over a Facebook post of his, under which a commenter said they would burn a house down if a "Muslim P*ki" lived there. The comment remained live in the week of publication.” ↗ControversyHarassmentViolenceBullying
Sam Journet was arrested on suspicion of common assault inside Basildon Council offices and faces allegations of harassing staff, bullying, and repeatedly trespassing into staff-only areas.“According to multiple council sources, Journet has been at the centre of an internal row after pushing for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training for staff.” ↗ControversyBullyingMisconductSocial media conductFinancial impropriety 2025
Sam Journet, Reform UK leader on Basildon Council, was arrested on suspicion of stalking and harassment of council staff and councillors, accused of bullying a fellow Reform councillor over her dyslexia, filmed residents and staff with Meta camera glasses in an intimidating manner, shamed a disabled man online by calling him a 'terrorist', and faced enforcement action over late company filings and unpaid business rates.“Reform UK's leader in Basildon – a council Farage's party hopes to take over – has faced a barrage of complaints after regularly wearing Meta-style camera glasses during council meetings and whilst doorknocking local residents, in a move described as intimidating by multiple local sources.” ↗ControversySocial media conductBullyingMisconduct 2025-08-12
Sam Journet was the subject of three formal complaints and a Standards Committee referral after he repeatedly called a young man with disabilities a 'terrorist' and posted video of him on X to shame him as 'Broken Britain', and he reportedly failed to apologise or complete the required training.“three complaints were lodged against Journet on 12 August 2025 over an incident involving a young man with disabilities in Basildon town centre, with Journet accused of repeatedly calling him a "terrorist" and shaming him by posting a video of him on X as an example of "Broken Britain"” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductUnpaid taxes 2025-09
Sam Journet's jewellery company had unpaid business rates that were only settled in September 2025 after Labour publicised the issue, alongside late filing of statutory accounts.“Journet's firm also had outstanding business rates, which were paid off in September 2025 after Labour publicised questions over the issue.” ↗ControversySocial media conductBullyingMisconduct 2026-01-31
Sam Journet published a Facebook video falsely accusing council leader Gavin Callaghan of standing outside his home in a 'creepy' and 'stalker-like' manner, despite documentary evidence showing Callaghan was miles away at the time.“On 31 January 2026, Journet published a video accusing the council leader, Cllr Gavin Callaghan, of being "stood outside my home" and characterising the alleged behaviour as "creepy" and "stalker-like". We have seen clear documentary evidence that Cllr Callaghan was miles away from Journet's home at that time” ↗ControversyBullyingHarassmentSocial media conduct 2026-04-09
Sam Journet, Reform UK's leader in Basildon, was accused by fellow Reform councillor Sarah Shields of bullying her over months including calling her 'thick' because she is dyslexic, prompting her to leave the Reform group; he was also arrested in September 2025 over harassment of council staff (no further action taken), referred to the Standards Committee for shaming a disabled man as a 'terrorist' on social media, and filed company accounts months late.“Cllr Sarah Shields publicly stated on 9 April 2026 that "Sam Journet has been bullying me", including over a "period of months", alleging he referred to her as "thick" because she is dyslexic. She has now left the Reform group.” ↗Darren Grimes (Durham)12 noteworthy findings
controversy ×9 legal issue ×3
Legal: regulatory (concluded) 2018
Fined £20,000 by Electoral Commission; fine later overturned on appeal“In 2018, Grimes was fined £20,000 by the Electoral Commission after it determined that there was evidence that BeLeave had spent more than £675,000 with the Canadian political consultancy firm AggregateIQ in coordination with the official Brexit campaign organisation Vote Leave” ↗Legal: police complaint (concluded) 2020
Investigation concluded without any charges being brought“The Metropolitan Police opened an investigation into Grimes on the suspicion of stirring up racial hatred, and requested to interview Grimes.” ↗Legal: police complaint (concluded) May 2020
Metropolitan Police ended its investigation into Grimes and Halsall“in May 2020, the Metropolitan Police ended its investigation into Grimes and Halsall.” ↗ControversyMisconductSocial media conduct
Durham councillor Darren Grimes was accused of lying to a constituent by falsely claiming police had advised him not to hold public surgeries due to security concerns, a claim Durham Police and the PCC explicitly denied.“He had a tumultuous time at the channel, including facing misconduct allegations.” ↗ControversyBullyingParty misconduct
Darren Grimes, deputy leader of Durham Council, faced a formal bullying complaint from fellow Reform councillor Nick Brown (who then resigned citing 'belittling behaviour' by leaders), amid multiple complaints against him costing the council over £18,000 in nine months.“Brown said he had filed a formal complaint over bullying against Grimes a week before he resigned.” ↗ControversyBullyingMisconduct
Darren Grimes was the subject of a formal bullying complaint from a fellow councillor and the bulk of £18,297 in council spending on complaints against Reform councillors in nine months, amid accusations of 'belittling behaviour' by Durham's Reform leadership.“the council had spent £18,297 dealing with complaints against Reform councillors in the past nine months, many of them against Grimes” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conduct 2024
Darren Grimes was condemned by anti-hate groups in 2024 for publishing AI-generated images on X depicting Keir Starmer in Islamic dress alongside Muslim women.“in 2024 Grimes was slammed by anti-hate groups after publishing posts on his X account featuring AI-generated images of Labour leader Keir Starmer wearing Islamic dress and standing alongside Muslim women.” ↗ControversyMisconductDishonesty 2025
Durham councillor Darren Grimes was accused of misleading a constituent by falsely claiming police had advised him not to hold public surgeries (which Durham Constabulary denied), and separately failed to declare his Reform UK and Free Speech Union memberships on his register of interests until prompted by media reporting.“Grimes failed to list being a member of any political organisations on his register of interests, despite declaring on X that he is a member of the right-wing Free Speech Union last August – and being a member of Reform UK.” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conduct August 2025
Darren Grimes was accused of 'inciting racism and hate' after posting a video of his brother in Scarborough with non-white people including children, captioned to compare them to migrants crossing the Channel on a dinghy to Dover.“Labour mayor Kim McGuinness accused Grimes of "inciting racism and hate".” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conduct February 2026
Darren Grimes posted a blog featuring an AI-generated image of South Asian men in tracksuits to illustrate claims that southern councils were 'shipping' problem tenants, refugees and homeless families to County Durham.“The article used a photo of a group of South Asian men in tracksuits next to a coach in a housing estate.” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conduct July 2020
Darren Grimes published a David Starkey interview on his platform containing racist remarks about slavery and Black people, prompting widespread condemnation and a Metropolitan Police investigation into stirring up racial hatred (later closed without charges).“In July 2020, an interview with the historian David Starkey that Grimes published on his video platform sparked controversy.” ↗ControversyMisconduct July 2025
Darren Grimes was accused of misleading a constituent by falsely claiming police had advised him not to hold public surgeries due to security concerns, a claim Durham Police explicitly denied.“The Police have not [their emphasis] advised councillors not to hold surgeries in the community. They would only do this in exceptional circumstances i.e. if there was a specific risk identified.” ↗Andrew Husband (Durham)11 noteworthy findings
controversy ×10 conflict of interest ×1
ControversyBusiness misconductFinancial impropriety 2022
Andrew Husband led multiple businesses that collapsed into liquidation with combined debts of £1.5–1.7 million, including £13,000 owed to Durham County Council from UHC Hotels and questions over COVID-era mask pricing to the council.“The company entered liquidation later the same year, owing debts of £85,000, including £13,000 to Durham County Council.” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductFinancial impropriety 2024
Andrew Husband faced criticism and calls to resign after Restaurant Kitchen, a company he directed until July 2022, entered liquidation in 2024 owing £279,000, part of a wider pattern of his companies collapsing with combined debts of £1.5–1.7 million.“before it entered liquidation in 2024 with debts of £279,000.” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductUnpaid taxesFinancial impropriety 2025
Andrew Husband, leader of Durham County Council, faced scrutiny after his companies collapsed owing over £600,000 including unpaid taxes, government-backed Covid loans, and wages owed to staff.“Andrew Husband, who runs Durham County Council, owns two companies that have been placed into administration with huge debts, including more than £500,000 in unpaid taxes, government-backed Covid loans, and wages owed to staff.” ↗ControversyHomophobiaParty misconduct 21 May 2025
Andrew Husband, as Reform leader of Durham County Council, oversaw the removal of LGBTQ+ Pride and Ukraine flags from council headquarters on his first day in charge, drawing criticism from Pride groups and opposition councillors.“On 21 May 2025, the day on which Reform assumed full control of the council, it took down LGBTQ+ and Ukraine flags at the council headquarters” ↗ControversyExtreme viewsHomophobia 21 May 2025
Andrew Husband, as leader of Durham County Council, oversaw the removal of LGBTQ+ and Ukraine flags and renamed council departments to strip references to climate change and equality and inclusion on his first day in charge.“on the day Reform took control of the council, it renamed several of its departments to remove references to climate change and equality and inclusion.” ↗ControversyHomophobiaSocial media conduct April 2026
Andrew Husband repeatedly used a homophobic slur on social media during an argument with a local Labour Party group in April 2026.“In April 2026, Husband repeatedly used a homophobic slur on social media during an argument with a local Labour Party group.” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductFinancial impropriety July 2025
Andrew Husband faced calls to resign as Durham council leader after multiple companies he owned or directed collapsed with combined debts of £1.5-1.7 million, including UHC Leisure entering administration in July 2025 owing £446,926 to creditors.“It too entered administration in July 2025, owing £446,926 to creditors.” ↗ControversyFinancial improprietyBusiness misconduct March 2020
Andrew Husband's company United Hygiene and Catering Equipment supplied Durham County Council with 10,000 surgical masks in March 2020 at a price reportedly five times the NHS average, amid wider scrutiny of his collapsed firms leaving £1.5m+ in debts including money owed to the council itself.“Private Eye reported that the company supplied Durham County Council with 10,000 IIR surgical masks in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic at cost per mask five times larger than the NHS average at the time.” ↗unverified Controversy May 2023
United Hygiene and Catering Equipment entered creditors' voluntary liquidation in May 2023 with debts exceeding £1,000,000. Liquidators reported no funds available for creditors or former employees.“It entered creditors' voluntary liquidation in May 2023 with debts exceeding £1,000,000. Liquidators reported there were insufficient funds to repay creditors or former employees.” ↗unverified Controversy May 2025
Two Reform UK Durham County councillors (Andrew Harrison and Kenny Hope) were suspended pending investigation and subsequently resigned; Husband commented that their resignation before the investigation's conclusion 'speaks volumes'.“It is never good to have to suspend councillors. It was also unfair to comment on their status during a live investigation/suspension and the fact that both have resigned before its conclusion speaks volumes.” ↗COI: business
Husband's company United Hygiene and Catering Equipment supplied Durham County Council with PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic at prices reportedly above NHS averages, and UHC Hotels owed Durham County Council £13,000 at the time of liquidation.“the company supplied Durham County Council with 10,000 IIR surgical masks in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic at cost per mask five times larger than the NHS average at the time” ↗David Wimble (Folkestone and Hythe)11 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×5 controversy ×4 conflict of interest ×2
Legal: civil suit (concluded)
Two outstanding County Court judgments for unpaid debts totalling £1,556“the Reform councillor has two outstanding County Court judgments against him for unpaid debts. Together they represent £1,556 in debts that remain, by the court's own definition, unpaid or only partly paid.” ↗Legal: regulatory (concluded) 2019
Council tax arrears confirmed by Folkestone and Hythe District Council“council tax arrears confirmed by Folkestone and Hythe District Council in 2019” ↗Legal: regulatory (concluded) 2019
Driving a vehicle with no valid tax or MOT“driving a vehicle with no valid tax or MOT that same year” ↗Legal: other (alleged) 2020
interview under caution“an interview under caution over alleged electoral violations in 2020” ↗Legal: police complaint (pending) April 2025
Kent Police referred matter to KCC“A leaflet which had to be removed from circulation by Reform UK after complaints about a breach of election rules has been reported to the police.” ↗ControversyDishonestyMisconduct
David Wimble was accused of publishing legally false claims about UK asylum law in The Looker (which he owns) and of previously fabricating a 'columnist contributor' by stealing the LinkedIn identity of an Australian man named Peter Bird.“Remember that time that Wimble stole the identity of an Australian man (Peter Bird iirc) from LinkedIn to be his "columnist contributor" to the Looker?” ↗ControversyUnpaid taxesFinancial improprietyMisconduct 2025
David Wimble has two outstanding County Court judgments for unpaid debts totalling £1,556, a history of council tax arrears and driving without tax/MOT, and proposed Kent County Council's 'Illegal Migration Emergency' motion which a senior officer had pulled over concerns it breached electoral law by being timed to influence a by-election.“The motion was initially pulled from the agenda by a senior council officer over concerns it risked breaching electoral law, timed to influence the then upcoming by-election in Cliftonville.” ↗ControversyDishonestyMisconduct 2025-11
David Wimble published a column in The Looker (which he owns) making false claims about UK asylum law — including a non-existent 'first safe country' rule and that entering UK territorial waters is itself a crime — which were debunked against UK statute and case law.“On three central points — first safe country, embassy applications, and what counts as an offence at sea — his column misstates the law.” ↗ControversyMisconductDishonesty April 2025
David Wimble designed and managed distribution of a Reform UK election leaflet that misused the Kent County Council logo to imply council endorsement, prompting a complaint to Kent Police and a forced withdrawal and apology.“The leaflet states on its imprint that it was designed and printed by local DJ David Wimble, who is also a district councillor at Folkestone and Hythe.” ↗COI: business
Wimble owns and controls The Looker, a local publication he uses to publish political commentary on issues he is responsible for as a KCC Cabinet member“used a local platform to deliver a sweeping denunciation of small-boat crossings and the UK asylum system, via The Looker – which he owns and controls, according to Companies House.” ↗COI: financial
Conflict of interest questions arose about a £19,000 High Street Fund application in 2022“conflict of interest questions about a £19,000 High Street Fund application in 2022” ↗Linden Kemkaran (Kent)9 noteworthy findings
controversy ×8 legal issue ×1
Legal: other (pending) 2019
“Following the election, she was investigated by the Conservative Party for "Islamophobic retweets".” ↗unverified Controversy 2025
Opposition parties walked out of Kent County Council's 'illegal migration emergency' debate, with Labour saying they would report it to the Electoral Commission and the Local Government Ombudsman over suspected breach of electoral rules during a by-election period“Labour group leader Alister Brady said that his party would report it to the Electoral Commission and the Local Government Ombudsman.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaBullyingSocial media conduct May 2025
Linden Kemkaran was investigated by the Conservative Party in 2019 for sharing Islamophobic retweets, and as Reform UK leader of Kent County Council was filmed shouting and swearing at colleagues in a leaked meeting, prompting Kent MPs to call for her removal amid mass suspensions and expulsions of councillors.“Despite never having previously served as a councillor, on 8 May, Kemkaran was chosen by Reform UK to be the next leader of Kent County Council.” ↗ControversyBullyingParty misconduct October 2025
Linden Kemkaran was recorded in a leaked internal Reform meeting swearing at and shouting down fellow Kent councillors, telling them to 'fucking suck it up' and threatening to mute dissenters, then vowed to expel the 'cowards' who leaked it.“she shouts down fellow members before telling them they will be "muted" in scenes reminiscent of the viral "Jackie Weaver" video from a parish council Zoom meeting in 2021.” ↗ControversyBullyingMisconductParty misconduct October 2025
Kemkaran, Reform leader of Kent County Council, was recorded telling fellow councillors who disagreed with her to 'fucking suck it up' and threatening to mute them, and afterwards launched a hunt for the 'cowards' who leaked the video, vowing they would be expelled from Reform and have 'no political future'.“The people who did this are cowards. They are weak. They are foolish.” ↗ControversyBullyingIslamophobiaSocial media conduct October 2025
Linden Kemkaran, Reform UK leader of Kent County Council, was filmed shouting and swearing at fellow councillors in a leaked online meeting, triggering suspensions and expulsions that collapsed Reform's majority and prompting Kent MPs to call for her removal; she had also previously been investigated by the Conservative Party over Islamophobic retweets.“the number of Reform UK councillors fell from 57 councillors after the 1 May 2025 election, to 48 councillors as of 28 October 2025.” ↗unverified Controversy October 2025
Seven Kent-area MPs wrote an open letter to Nigel Farage calling for Kemkaran to step down over the leaked video fallout“On Sunday, a group of MPs wrote an open letter to Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage calling for Kemkaran to step down amid the fallout from the video.” ↗ControversyMisconductBullying October 2025
Linden Kemkaran, Reform UK leader of Kent County Council, faced calls to resign and a possible no-confidence vote after a leaked video showed her shouting and swearing during a council meeting, prompting her to circulate a loyalty statement for colleagues to sign in support of her leadership.“councillor Linden Kemkaran sent a note calling on members to sign a statement in support of her leadership to "counter all the negativity"” ↗ControversyBullyingParty misconduct October 2025
Kemkaran, Reform leader of Kent county council, was recorded in a leaked meeting telling dissenting councillors to 'fucking suck it up', threatening to expel 'cowards' who leaked the footage, and accusing other Kent council leaders of disliking her because she is a woman — a claim publicly rejected by Medway's Labour leader.“To suggest I don't like her because she is a woman is utterly ludicrous” ↗Adrian Fluker (Maldon)6 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×3 controversy ×3
Legal: police complaint (concluded) 2021
Closed – neither internal nor police investigation produced evidence substantiating allegations about the loan“Following both an internal investigation and a police investigation the matter has been closed as neither produced evidence which substantiated the allegations made.” ↗unverified Legal: council standards (concluded) 2021
Joint Standards Committee found no further action needed, but the committee members were found to have 'predetermined' the conclusion and 'brought the council into disrepute'; Fluker was later suspended from committees for 12 months“a report published on the Maldon Council website on 6 August concluded that three Tory members of the council's Joint Standards Committee...had 'predetermined' the committee's conclusion that no further action should be taken against Cllr Fluker” ↗Legal: council standards (concluded) 2021
Suspended from sitting on council committees and working parties for 12 months; formal letter of censure issued“A joint standards hearing ruled Conservative Adrian Fluker had breached Maldon Council's code of conduct by making homophobic remarks to a fellow councillor. Councillors voted to suspend Mr Fluker from sitting on council committees and working parties for 12 months.” ↗ControversyBullyingHomophobia August 2021
Adrian Fluker resigned as leader of Maldon District Council amid allegations of bullying (including a 'throat-slit' gesture toward fellow councillors), a homophobic 'hello sailor' remark to a gay Tory colleague, and an unresolved controversy over an alleged loan of thousands of pounds to a senior council officer.“claims of bullying, homophobia and a controversy over whether or not Cllr Fluker made a loan of thousands of pounds to a senior council officer” ↗ControversyBullyingHomophobiaMisconduct September 2020
Adrian Fluker, then leader of Maldon District Council, was the subject of formal standards complaints after making a 'throat-slit' gesture towards two councillors who abstained in a vote and saying 'hello sailor' to a fellow councillor, conduct alleged to be bullying and homophobic.“The first complaint alleged that Cllr Fluker carried out a "throat-cut" gesture aimed at Cllrs Richard Siddall and Jane Fleming, who had just abstained in a vote” ↗ControversyHomophobiaBullying September 2020
Adrian Fluker, leader of Maldon District Council, was the subject of formal complaints after making a 'throat-slit' gesture at councillors who had abstained in a vote and saying 'hello sailor' to a gay councillor, with his subsequent apology rejected.“The second complaint, raised by Cllr Morris, alleged that Cllr Fluker had breached the council's members code by directing a homophobic comment towards Cllr Siddall when he said "hello sailor" to him.” ↗Barry Elliott (Northumberland)6 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×3 controversy ×2 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: civil suit (concluded) 2025
Building companies owned or run by Elliott ordered to pay combined total of £140,000 to three customers via county court judgments“County court judgments showed Mr Elliott's building companies had been ordered to pay a combined total of £140,000.” ↗Legal: civil suit (concluded) November 2025
Appeal dismissed; ordered to pay total liabilities of £38,499.59 in business rates and council tax arrears to Northumberland County Council; council granted permission to pursue bankruptcy petition; ordered to pay legal costs of £2,680“a judge ruling the total liabilities of £38,499.59 "are payable and they ought to be paid"” ↗Legal: other (concluded) October 2024
Nashville Homes Ltd entered voluntary liquidation in October 2024, owing creditors more than £1m including approximately £500,000 to Elliott himself“One of his companies - Nashville Homes Ltd - voluntarily entered liquidation in October 2024. It owed its creditors more than £1m, including approximately £500,000 to Mr Elliott himself” ↗ControversyFinancial improprietyUnpaid taxesBusiness misconduct 2025
Northumberland councillor Barry Elliott was ordered to pay almost £40,000 in business rates and council tax arrears to his own council (with bankruptcy proceedings permitted), while his building companies were separately ordered to pay £140,000 to three customers over broken promises and delays on bungalow purchases.“The customers all agreed to buy bungalows but pulled out following major complications, broken promises and delays, they said.” ↗ControversyFinancial improprietyUnpaid taxes November 2025
Barry Elliott was ordered by a court to pay almost £40,000 in unpaid business rates and council tax to Northumberland County Council, the authority on which he serves, with the council also granted permission to pursue bankruptcy proceedings against him.“He claimed he receives "unprecedented attention" from the council, alleging it was targeting him for "political" reasons following his election.” ↗COI: financial
Elliott sits as a councillor on Northumberland County Council while owing it £38,499.59 in business rates and council tax arrears; the council also took money directly from his councillor's allowance in relation to a separate liability order“Mr Elliott also said the organisation had taken money directly from his councillor's allowance, which the court heard was in relation to a separate liability order.” ↗Celia Hibbert (Wolverhampton)6 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×2 controversy ×2 selection failure ×2
Legal: other (pending) June 2023
“It emerged in June this year that Cllr Hibbert, who was re-elected to the Penn ward in May 2023 with 1,934 votes, had been suspended by the Labour Party for "unspecified reasons" pending an investigation.” ↗Legal: other (concluded) October 2021
Suspended for 12 months in October 2021 following allegation of breaching group rules; suspension later revoked after appeal“a suspension of 12 months was confirmed in October 2021, however was later revoked after Cllr Hibbert appealed the suspension” ↗ControversyParty misconduct
Celia Hibbert was suspended by Labour and accused of breaching party rules and self-serving behaviour after secretly approaching the Liberal Democrats about defecting and seeking a parliamentary candidacy, with the Lib Dems also rejecting her as lacking principles.“A further allegation that she tried to join the Conservatives at the time was denied by both parties.” ↗ControversyParty misconduct August 2023
Celia Hibbert, a Labour councillor for Penn ward, was condemned by both Labour and the Liberal Democrats after secretly approaching the Lib Dems about defecting and becoming their parliamentary candidate, in breach of Labour rules, with Lib Dem figures describing her as having 'no principles other than self-advancement'.“Celia Hibbert, who represents Penn ward, had a meeting with the chair of Wolverhampton Lib Dems Julian Donald on August 10, to ask about joining the party and sitting as a councillor and prospective parliamentary candidate” ↗Selection failure
rejected by Labour — Parliamentary candidate for Wolverhampton South West“announced last year that she would be applying to stand as Labour's parliamentary nomination for Wolverhampton South West in the next general election. However, the party selected a different candidate to run for MP.” ↗Selection failure 2023
rejected by Liberal Democrats — Lib Dem councillor and prospective parliamentary candidate“the local party has decided not to move forward with any arrangement with Cllr Hibbert. We believe that she does not share the Liberal values needed to be a member of this party” ↗David Thomas (Torfaen)6 noteworthy findings
controversy ×5 legal issue ×1
unverified Legal: council standards (concluded)
Resolved by local resolution after it was agreed to take the video down“Cllr Thomas was accused of breaching the code of conduct when he, and his Reform colleague Jason O'Connell, who also represents Cwmbran's Llantarnam ward, filmed a video in the council chamber in which they accused Labour cabinet member David Daniels of 'lying'. The council said the complaints were resolved by 'local resolution' after it was agreed to take the video down.” ↗ControversyBusiness misconduct
David Thomas's window cleaning company Dr Squeegees was reported to have removed competitors' advertising signs, with one rival tracking a sign via air tag to one of Thomas's vehicles; Thomas claimed the signs were taken during a community litter pick.“his window cleaning company Dr Squeegees had been taking down signs of his rivals and driving off with them. One rival said they had put an air tag on one of the signs and tracked it to one of Thomas' vehicles.” ↗ControversyDishonestySocial media conduct
David Thomas posted photographs of himself ribbon-cutting at a new Lidl store in Cwmbran, prompting Lidl to publicly deny any official opening or invitation had taken place, after which he deleted the post.“Lidl complained after Thomas had posted pictures of himself cutting a ribbon at the opening of a new store in Cwmbran. But the supermarket claimed no official ribbon cutting took place and no formal invitations had been issued. Thomas later deleted the post which showed him holding a large pair of scissors.” ↗ControversyMisogynyDishonestyMisconduct February 2025
David Thomas faced calls to resign as a Torfaen councillor after the BBC uncovered 'offensive and misogynistic' dance tracks (including a slur targeting people with cerebral palsy) posted under his DJ alias, alongside reports his company removed rivals' signs and that he staged a fake Lidl ribbon-cutting.“calls were made for him to resign as a councillor in Torfaen after the BBC unearthed "offensive and misogynistic" dance tracks posted online under his music alias "DJ Dowster". Some of the tracks used crude and offensive language about women and included a highly derogatory slur for people with cerebral palsy.” ↗ControversySocial media conduct May 2026
David Thomas, Reform UK's Wales director and Torfaen councillor, was widely criticised for mocking ousted Conservative Senedd Member Tom Giffard on X by offering him a job at his window cleaning firm hours after Giffard posted an emotional video about losing his seat.“Hi Tom – I've got a window cleaner job that's just come up if you're interested buddy ?” ↗ControversyMisconduct late 2024
David Thomas, Reform UK group leader on Torfaen Borough Council, was automatically removed from Cwmbran Community Council after failing to attend any meetings for six months, potentially triggering a by-election costing £10,000–£12,000.“David Thomas was automatically removed from the volunteer council after failing to attend meetings for six months under statutory requirements” ↗Derek Bullock (Bolton)6 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 selection failure ×2 legal issue ×1
Legal: police complaint (pending) 2026
Bullock reported resurfaced material to police“a Reform spokesperson said he had reported the resurfaced material to the police.” ↗ControversyRacismIslamophobiaExtreme views
Derek Bullock was reported by Hope not Hate to have allegedly used a racial slur calling for people of Pakistani heritage to be shot following the 2017 Manchester Arena attack and to have spoken of encouraging Muslims to join Islamic State to 're-balance England's population & make-up'.“Hope not Hate allege Bullock also spoke of wanting to encourage Muslims to join Islamic State to "help re-balance England's population & make-up".” ↗ControversyRacismIslamophobiaSocial media conduct 2017
Bolton councillor Derek Bullock was expelled from the Conservative Party after a screenshot emerged of an account in his name commenting 'Shoot the P***s on the spot' following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, on top of earlier anti-Muslim Facebook posts.“a screenshot has recently emerged which shows a post following the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, under the post an account which appears to show Mr Bullock's name and profile picture commented: "Shoot the P***s on the spot."” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaRacismSocial media conduct March 2020
Derek Bullock was expelled from the Conservative Party over alleged racist and Islamophobic Facebook activity, including a comment saying 'Shoot the P***s on the spot' after the Manchester Arena bombing and sharing anti-Muslim 'JihadWatch' content.“In March 2020, Coun Bullock faced disciplinary action after it was alleged an article from an anti-Muslim activist's "JihadWatch" had been posted on his Facebook.” ↗Selection failure 2020
rejected by Conservative — Bolton Council party membership“Bolton Conservative leader Martyn Cox said that after originally being expelled from the party in 2020 for other inappropriate social media posts there had been an 'administration error' to let him rejoin.” ↗Selection failure 2023
deselected by Conservative — Bolton Council, Hulton ward“a screenshot has recently emerged which shows a post following the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, under the post an account which appears to show Mr Bullock's name and profile picture commented: "Shoot the P***s on the spot."” ↗George Finch (Nuneaton and Bedworth)6 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 legal issue ×2 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) 2025
“In 2025, Finch was the subject of three separate code of conduct investigations relating to his social media posts and public comments.” ↗Legal: other (alleged) August 2025
Not charged; the matter was noted as risking contempt of court“risking a charge of contempt of court” ↗unverified Controversy August 2025
Finch published a letter on social media accusing Warwickshire Police of covering up that suspects in an alleged rape were asylum seekers, risking a charge of contempt of court.“In August 2025, he published a letter on social media where he accused Warwickshire Police of covering up that the suspects of an alleged rape were asylum seekers, risking a charge of contempt of court.” ↗ControversySocial media conductMisconduct July 2025
George Finch was the subject of three code of conduct investigations over his social media posts, risked contempt of court by publicly claiming Warwickshire Police had covered up the asylum-seeker status of rape suspects in an ongoing case, and narrowly survived a no-confidence vote accusing him of abusing the office of leader.“faced criticism from opposition politicians due to his age and lack of experience.” ↗ControversyHomophobiaMisconduct September 2025
George Finch demanded the removal of a Pride Progress flag from Warwickshire County Council's building and, after the chief executive refused, had his Reform cabinet vote to strip her of authority over flag decisions, with a fellow councillor later saying he had handled the matter 'very badly' by failing to support the chief executive.“Finch embroiled himself in a disagreement with the council's chief executive, Monica Fogarty, over the flying of a Pride Progress flag outside the council building. He asked for the flag to be removed, but Fogarty rejected his request.” ↗COI: other
Finch simultaneously holds the position of leader of Warwickshire County Council and leader of the Reform UK group (and potential leader) of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council — an unprecedented dual leadership position that has attracted criticism over divided loyalties and north/south bias.“The question is not only can he run both local authorities, but also should he.” ↗George Madgwick (Portsmouth)6 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×3 controversy ×3
Legal: regulatory (concluded)
Employment tribunals ordered Madgwick's businesses to pay £4,386 to former employees for breaching employment law; awards remain unpaid and Madgwick is contesting the rulings“In total, two of his businesses have been ordered to pay £4,386 to former employees for breaching employment law.” ↗Legal: regulatory (concluded)
Tribunal ordered Signature by the Wicks to pay £1,800 maternity pay, £400 unpaid wages, £1,120 unpaid holiday pay“The tribunal ordered the business to pay £1,800 to make up for the unpaid maternity pay, as well as £400 in unpaid wages and £1,120 in unpaid holiday pay.” ↗Legal: regulatory (concluded)
Parnells Food Outlets Ltd had two separate judgments against it for unauthorised deduction of wages and unpaid holiday pay“Another of Madgwick's businesses, Parnells Food Outlets Ltd, had two separate judgments against it, one for unauthorised deduction of wages and another for unpaid holiday pay.” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductFinancial impropriety
George Madgwick publicly argued young people should be paid less while his own hospitality companies had unpaid employment tribunal awards totalling £4,386 for unpaid wages, holiday pay and denying a new mother a contract.“Only the most shameless employer would tell young people they're paid too much while failing to pay their own staff's wages, holiday pay, and even denying a new mum her legal right to a contract” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductFinancial impropriety
George Madgwick's restaurant businesses had multiple employment tribunal judgments against them for unpaid wages, holiday pay and denied maternity pay totalling £4,386 which remain unpaid, while his companies also failed to file accounts or maintain up-to-date addresses at Companies House as legally required.“Both businesses are still listed as active on Companies House but have not filed accounts for several years. The law requires directors to keep the addresses of their businesses up to date.” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductSocial media conductFinancial impropriety
George Madgwick faced criticism over former companies of his being taken to employment tribunals for unpaid wages with awards not fully paid, alongside provocative social media posts on crime and immigration and public comments suggesting young people should be paid less.“Cllr Madgwick is also known for provocative social‑media posts on crime and immigration.” ↗Peter Mason (Staffordshire)6 noteworthy findings
controversy ×6
ControversyRacismIslamophobiaHomophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views
Peter Mason posted derogatory social media content attacking gay and trans people, Muslims, Black people, and UK police, and interacted with posts from Britain First leader Paul Golding.“He also interacted with at least one post from Paul Golding, the leader of far-right group Britain First.” ↗ControversyRacismHomophobiaSocial media conduct
Peter Mason, Reform UK councillor for Burton South on Staffordshire County Council, apologised after racist and homophobic social media posts resurfaced, including a comment about 'a fat arsed black woman' and slurs implying police 'dance around like fairies'.“Conservative members of the authority called for him to resign, describing his posts as "disgusting".” ↗ControversyRacismHomophobiaIslamophobiaSocial media conduct
Peter Mason, a Staffordshire County Councillor and Reform UK cabinet member, faced calls to resign after social media posts surfaced in which he made derogatory comments about gay and trans people, Muslims, Black people, and UK police, and engaged with content from far-right Britain First leader Paul Golding.“The posts made by Councillor Mason were made in 2023/4, before his election as a County Councillor in May 2025. Staffordshire County Council's Code of Conduct only applies to actions taken by Councillors and therefore does not apply in this case.” ↗ControversyRacismHomophobiaSocial media conduct 2023-2024
Peter Mason, Reform UK councillor for Burton South, apologised after racist, homophobic and anti-police social media posts he made in 2023-24 resurfaced, including describing a statue of a black woman in derogatory terms and calling police 'British hating scum' who 'dance around like fairies'.“In one post, from March 2024, Mason said: "What a surprise a statue of a fat arsed black woman."” ↗ControversyRacismHomophobiaIslamophobiaSocial media conduct 2024-11
Peter Mason, a Staffordshire County Councillor and cabinet member, faced calls to resign after social media posts emerged in which he made derogatory comments about gay and trans people, Muslims, Black people, and the police, and interacted with posts by Britain First leader Paul Golding.“I don't intend for Peter to resign.... We stick together!” ↗ControversySocial media conductRacismMisogyny 2026-03-26
Staffordshire councillor Peter Mason faced calls to resign and be removed from the Reform UK cabinet over controversial social media posts he made about women and black people in 2023 and 2024, for which he apologised in November.“I believe your first duty when you are elected should be to remove Councillor Mason as quickly as you can.” ↗Alan Graves (Derby)5 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 legal issue ×1 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: council standards (concluded) 2025
Committee found he had broken council rules by reading out extracts of a confidential report in a social media video“A committee found he had broken council rules by reading out extracts of a confidential report in a social media video.” ↗ControversyMisconductSocial media conduct
Alan Graves was found by a Derby City Council committee to have broken council rules by reading out extracts of a confidential report in a social media video, and said he had no regrets.“At the time, Labour councillors including the now MP for Derby South Baggy Shanker, walked out in protest.” ↗ControversyMisogynyMisconductSocial media conduct
Alan Graves apologised after appearing to cite a cabinet member's maternity leave as an example of councillors not pulling their weight, and was separately found by a council committee to have broken rules by reading extracts of a confidential report in a social media video.“he appeared to use a cabinet member's maternity leave as an example of councillors not pulling their weight. All this is indicative of the fact that Derbyshire's new leader is not someone who is afraid to wade into controversy.” ↗ControversyMisconductSocial media conduct
Alan Graves was found by a Derby City Council committee to have broken council rules by reading extracts of a confidential report in a social media video.“This is especially the case given he has been critical of other councillors, external for seeking two roles in the past, including those who are both councillors and MPs.” ↗COI: other
Graves simultaneously holds a seat on Derby City Council (where he is an elected member) while serving as Leader of Derbyshire County Council, with the two bodies having overlapping jurisdictions and competing interests, particularly regarding Local Government Reorganisation“Graves told me he intends to stay on as a city councillor for Reform UK representing Alvaston, something his opponents will likely criticise.” ↗Audrey Dempsey (Glasgow City)5 noteworthy findings
controversy ×4 legal issue ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) December 2024
“She is accused of "an alleged breach of the respect and courtesy provision of the Councillors' Code of Conduct" and will face a Standards Commission hearing in December.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaRacismExtreme views
Audrey Dempsey, a Reform councillor for Springburn and Robroyston, claimed without evidence that asylum seekers and migrants were trying to impose 'Sharia law' on Glasgow, comments condemned as 'ludicrous and absurd' by First Minister John Swinney.“Well, instead of trying to inflict their culture on other people here like Sharia law. They are trying to bring that here.” ↗ControversyRacismExtreme viewsSocial media conduct
Audrey Dempsey, after quitting Scottish Labour over 'racist' comments in which she falsely claimed rising 'racist attacks on white children and teachers' in Glasgow schools, was found to have liked tweets from the far-right Homeland Party about 'anti-white racism'.“Councillor Audrey Dempsey announced on X/Twitter her pride in being selected to run for a Scottish Parliament seat in Glasgow Provan. The constituency is however set to be abolished” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conductExtreme views
Audrey Dempsey quit Scottish Labour amid a row over racist comments after falsely claiming 'racist attacks on white children and teachers' were rising in Glasgow schools and liking tweets about 'anti-white racism' from the far-right Homeland Party.“She was further found to have liked a number of tweets about "anti-white racism" from the far-right Homeland Party, including some slamming Labour. Responding, the now-Reform councillor claimed she did not know what the Homeland Party was.” ↗ControversyRacismParty misconduct April 2024
Audrey Dempsey was suspended from Labour and accused of making racist remarks after she made an unsubstantiated claim about a rise in 'racist attacks on white children and teachers' in Glasgow schools.“Dempsey did not provide statistical evidence for her claim about a rise in attacks, which was contained in an agenda for a recent meeting of the Labour group.” ↗Caley Ashman (Dudley)5 noteworthy findings
controversy ×5
ControversyRacismSocial media conductHomophobiaExtreme views 2025
Caley Ashman, a Reform UK candidate for Dudley Council, was reported by Hope Not Hate for antisemitic ('Goyslop'), anti-foreigner and homophobic posts on his X account, prompting opponents to label him an extremist and call for his suspension.“Voters should be very concerned that extremist candidates like Caley Ashman have passed Reform's vetting process” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conductExtreme views July 2024
Caley Ashman, a Reform UK candidate for Dudley Council, was reported by Hope Not Hate for antisemitic ('Goyslop'), xenophobic and homophobic posts on his X account, prompting opponents to call for his suspension.“In July 2024 a post said: "I voted and I chose reform (sic) as they were the least worse option.Top of the T**d*."” ↗ControversyRacismHomophobiaSocial media conduct March 2025
Caley Ashman, a Reform UK candidate for Dudley Council, was exposed by Hope Not Hate for posting the antisemitic term 'Goyslop' on his X account and reposting homophobic content, alongside other xenophobic posts.“the word 'Goyslop' appeared in a post on his X account Caashman. The post, published in March 2025, was exposed by campaigning group Hope Not Hate along with another post on Caashman which reposted homophobic comments from conspiracy theorist Owen Benjamin.” ↗ControversyRacismExtreme viewsSocial media conduct March 2025
Caley Ashman, a Reform UK candidate for Dudley Council, faced calls for suspension after racist, xenophobic and antisemitic posts (including the antisemitic slur 'Goyslop' and a post saying foreigners shouldn't look after the young or old) appeared on his X account.“In March 2025 on Caashman it was posted: "You shouldn't let foreigners look after the young or old as they don't care about you."” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conductExtreme views May 2026
Caley Ashman was identified by Hope Not Hate as having posted the antisemitic term 'goyslop' on X, referencing a conspiracy trope about Jews distracting non-Jews with fake news.“Caley Ashman, who won the seat for Cradley North and Wollescote ward in Dudley, once referred to "goyslop" in a post – a reference to the idea of a Jewish conspiracy to distract non-Jewish people using fake news.” ↗David Barker (Sunderland)5 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 legal issue ×2
Legal: other (alleged)
Allegations not tested in court“Barker and his former partner were accused of abusing and neglecting a child. The allegations included claims the child was left in unsanitary conditions, deprived of food and burned with cigarettes. These allegations have not been tested in court.” ↗Legal: criminal charge (concluded) 2019
Convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm; received a 22 week prison sentence suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days, attend a Building Better Relationships programme, and pay £500 compensation to the victim“In 2019, Barker received a suspended sentence at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court after being convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his former girlfriend.” ↗ControversyViolenceHarassmentMisogyny
David Barker received a suspended sentence in 2019 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his former girlfriend, and faces further allegations of child abuse and using online aliases to harass women including social and court workers.“The group claimed Barker operated a website and Facebook page called The Masked Truth, which purported to support people involved in disputes with social services and family courts.” ↗ControversyViolenceHarassmentMisogyny
David Barker was convicted in 2019 of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his former girlfriend, receiving a suspended sentence, and has since faced further allegations of child abuse and repeated harassment of female social and court workers.“multiple female social and court workers have alleged Barker engaged in repeated harassment over an extended period, although no criminal findings relating to those claims have been publicly confirmed.” ↗ControversyViolenceMisogynyHarassment
David Barker received a suspended sentence in 2019 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm after a violent attack on his former girlfriend that left her 'black and blue', and faces further allegations of child abuse and online harassment.“Additional screenshots shared by Reform Party Exposed appear to show another individual demanding Barker remove photographs of their child from his social media pages and cease using the images.” ↗Jaymey McIvor (Essex)5 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 legal issue ×1 selection failure ×1
Legal: other (alleged) 2024
McIvor denied the allegations; Conservative party expelled him following an investigation according to sources“Sources say he was expelled after an investigation into the allegations.” ↗ControversyMisconductHarassmentParty misconduct 2025-01
Jaymey McIvor was reportedly expelled from the Conservative party over allegations he sent an unsolicited picture of his genitals, and then defected to Reform UK without calling a byelection.“Councillor Aidan McGurran has sent threatening and abusive emails to Councillor McIvor from a local government email address. This breaks the code of conduct for members” ↗ControversyHarassmentParty misconduct 2025-01-10
Jaymey McIvor was publicly accused at a full Essex County Council meeting of sending an unsolicited explicit photo of his private parts, and the Conservative party said he had been expelled (though he claims he quit to join Reform); McIvor denies sending the photo.“Labour Essex county councillor Aidan McGurran brought up allegations about Reform councillor Jaymey McIvor during a full council meeting on 10 January, in which he claimed Mr McIvor "sent an unsolicited picture of [his] private parts" and was "expelled from the Conservative party".” ↗ControversyMisconductParty misconduct 2025-01-10
Jaymey McIvor was accused at a council meeting of having been expelled from the Conservative party over allegations he sent an unsolicited picture of his genitals (which he denies), and was also criticised for defecting to Reform UK without calling a by-election.“he hasn't had the decency to hold a byelection and has no intention to do so” ↗Selection failure 2024
deselected by Conservative Party — Parliamentary candidate for Hemel Hempstead (2024 General Election)“Jaymey McIvor has been suspended by the party pending the outcome of an investigation.” ↗Joseph Boam (Leicestershire)5 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 legal issue ×1 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: police complaint (concluded) May 2025
No criminal offences identified, no further action taken“No criminal offences were identified and no further action will be taken.” ↗ControversySocial media conductMisogynyExtreme views
Joseph Boam was exposed by Hope Not Hate for social media activity promoting Andrew Tate (including retweets of misogynist content and 'Resist the Slave Mind' messages) and later sparked outrage by tweeting 'I Stand With ICE' after the fatal shooting of a nurse by US immigration agents.“Last year, Hope Not Hate exposed some worrying social media posts shared by Mr Boam, as well as other figures in Reform UK. His now deleted X account, which used the name Lord Joseph Boam, he regularly tweeted and retweeted Andrew Tate” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme viewsMisconduct February 2026
Leicestershire councillor Joseph Boam was sacked as deputy leader and faces expulsion calls from his own council leader after sharing an 'I stand with ICE' post hours after ICE fatally shot a nurse, with 40 of 79 complaints against Reform councillors being about him.“Of those 79 complaints, 40 were about Boam.” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme viewsMisogyny January 2026
Joseph Boam tweeted an 'I Stand With ICE' graphic hours after US immigration agents fatally shot a nurse in Minneapolis, doubling down amid backlash, and was previously exposed for sharing Andrew Tate content on social media.“Joseph Boam, 22, tweeted a graphic of the US Department of Homeland Security with the words 'I Stand With Ice' on Sunday afternoon.” ↗COI: business
Boam's family ice cream business was at the centre of a police complaint about an ice cream van allegedly parked near a polling station during the May 2025 election in which he stood as a candidate.“Boam, whose family has an ice cream business, said: "From the start, this investigation was a blatant farce, and its inevitable collapse proves it."” ↗Karl Lewis (Powys)5 noteworthy findings
controversy ×4 legal issue ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) 2025
Called upon to explain failure to attend threshold number of meetings; no response given to letters, phone call, or email as of reporting“Powys Council's standards committee called on him to explain why he has failed to attend the threshold number of meetings during the last year.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaExtreme viewsSocial media conduct
Karl Lewis was named in Hope not Hate's 'State of HATE' reports for sharing an Islamophobic InfoWars video titled 'Sweden Raped To Death By Muslim Migrants', celebrating Trump's election by saying 'all the immigrants are shitting themselves', and liking tweets from Andrew Tate including one celebrating Kanye West's antisemitic outbursts.“he has recently 'liked' two tweets from the toxic misogynist Andrew Tate, including one which celebrated Kanye West in the aftermath of his antisemitic outbursts” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaExtreme viewsSocial media conduct
Karl Lewis was named in Hope not Hate's 'State of HATE' dossiers for sharing an Islamophobic InfoWars video and posting anti-immigrant comments celebrating Donald Trump's election, and later 'liked' tweets from Andrew Tate including one defending Kanye West's antisemitic outbursts.“It is unclear whether Cllr Lewis was ever suspended, but it clearly did not harm his prospects in the party. He was selected to stand again in the 2022 elections and won his seat.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaRacismSocial media conduct 2020
Karl Lewis was named in Hope not Hate's State of Hate reports for sharing an anti-Muslim InfoWars video titled 'Sweden Raped To Death By Muslim Migrants' and celebrating Trump's election by saying 'all the immigrants are shitting themselves', as well as liking tweets from Andrew Tate.“Powys County Councillor Karl Lewis was also included in this year's State of Hate dossier for comments that included celebrating the idea that 'all the immigrants are shitting themselves' after Donald Trump's election win” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaRacismSocial media conduct 2023
Karl Lewis was named in Hope not Hate's 'State of HATE' dossier for sharing an anti-Muslim InfoWars video titled 'Sweden Raped To Death By Muslim Migrants', celebrating Trump's 2016 win by saying 'all the immigrants are shitting themselves', and liking tweets from Andrew Tate including one defending Kanye West's antisemitic outbursts.“He had shared a video called 'Sweden Raped To Death By Muslim Migrants' from the odious conspiracy channel InfoWars, as well as greeting the 2016 election of Donald Trump by declaring that 'all the immigrants are shitting themselves'” ↗Luke Parker (Lancashire)5 noteworthy findings
controversy ×5
ControversyDishonestySocial media conductExtreme views 2025
Luke Parker, Reform UK councillor for Preston East, was accused of spreading misleading claims about asylum seekers being housed at Preston sites (Finney House care facility and the Harris Museum) to 'cynically increase tensions' in the community, and failed to correct the record when his claims were shown to be false.“In 2025, prior to being elected, he shared what he said were 'unconfirmed reports' that Finney House, a care facility in Preston, would be repurposed to house asylum seekers. Blog Preston was able to confirm that the report was false with hospital bosses saying they were 'completely unfounded and misleading speculation'.” ↗ControversySocial media conductHarassment Christmas 2025
Luke Parker, a Reform UK councillor on Lancashire County Council, re-shared an out-of-context video accusing two Labour councillors of anti-white racism despite police having flagged heightened violence risks against one of them, and publicly posted names and headshots of five Labour politicians while backing businesses that ban them.“Councillor Luke Parker, who represents Preston East at Lancashire County Council for Reform UK, re-shared an out-of-context video accusing two Labour councillors of racism against white men after criticism of an all-white, all-male Reform UK cabinet at Lancashire County Council.” ↗ControversyDishonestySocial media conductExtreme views February 2026
Luke Parker, Reform UK councillor for Preston East, was accused of cynically stoking anti-migrant community tensions by posting an AI-generated image falsely implying Preston's Harris Museum would be used to house asylum seekers, following a prior incident where he spread unfounded claims that a Preston care facility would be repurposed for asylum seekers.“Cllr Luke Parker, Reform UK's county councillor for Preston East and Reform UK's chief whip, posted an AI-generated image of The Harris with asylum seekers outside under the header: "Harris Museum as a Migrant Sanctuary?"” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme viewsRacism February 2026
Luke Parker, a Reform councillor on Lancashire County Council, used an AI-generated image of refugees queuing outside a library to attack Preston City Council's bid for Museum of Sanctuary accreditation, drawing criticism from fellow councillors and refugee groups.“That criticism came from county councillor Luke Parker, a Reform councillor at Lancashire County Council, who used an AI image of refugees queuing outside the library to make his point.” ↗ControversyHarassmentSocial media conduct early 2026
Reform UK councillor Luke Parker publicly posted names and headshots of five Labour councillors encouraging Lancashire businesses to ban them, and separately reshared an out-of-context video accusing two Labour councillors of anti-white racism in a context where police had flagged heightened violence risk against one of those councillors.“Parker also posted backing Lancashire businesses that decide to ban Labour councillors from their businesses. He posted the names and headshots of five Labour politicians - Samara Barnes, Matthew Brown, Mark Clifford, Kim Snape and Chris Snow - saying they are 'making decisions that affect your livelihood'.” ↗Stuart Davies (North Somerset)5 noteworthy findings
controversy ×5
ControversyExtreme viewsMisogynySocial media conduct
Stuart Davies shared a Tommy Robinson video, agreed 'to some extent' with a post saying women should not be police officers, and promoted a conspiracy theory that Bill Gates championed vaccines to reduce fertility, leading to his removal from a Lib Dem-led coalition group before he defected to Reform UK.“Earlier this year the independent councillor was kicked off a Lib Dem-led coalition group because of his views.” ↗ControversyExtreme viewsMisogynySocial media conduct
Stuart Davies shared a Tommy Robinson video, endorsed a post suggesting women should not be police officers, and promoted anti-vaccine conspiracy theories about Bill Gates seeking to reduce fertility.“Stuart Davies, who posted a clip by far-right thug Tommy Robinson, was one of 29 councillors who switched to Reform.” ↗ControversyExtreme viewsMisogynySocial media conduct
Stuart Davies shared a Tommy Robinson video and posts praising Elon Musk for funding Robinson's legal fees, agreed 'to some extent' that women should not be police officers, and promoted a conspiracy theory that Bill Gates championed vaccines to reduce fertility.“Mr Davies, from North Somerset, also shared a post praising Elon Musk for paying Robinson's legal fees, and said a documentary made by the British rabble rouser "needs to be seen".” ↗ControversyMisogynyExtreme viewsSocial media conduct
Stuart Davies shared a Tommy Robinson video, agreed 'to some extent' with a post saying women should not be police officers, and promoted a conspiracy theory that Bill Gates championed vaccines to reduce fertility.“Responding to a post by right-wing pundit Calvin Robinson saying women should not join the police, Mr Davies wrote: "I agree to some extent but some women are capable these women are not. The recruitment system of policing is the issue in the UK. DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) above safety!"” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme viewsMisogyny January (year not specified)
Stuart Davies shared a Tommy Robinson video, agreed women 'should not be policemen', and posted a conspiracy theory claiming Bill Gates championed vaccines to reduce fertility and the population.“Another troubling post by Mr Davies in January suggested tech billionaire Bill Gates was championing vaccines because they reduce fertility. He wrote: "Vaccines have decreased fertility, no wonder Bill Gates championed them we all know he wanted to reduce the population, just another conspiracy theory we were told, what a very sad state of affairs."” ↗Claire Mackie-Brown (Falkirk)4 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 legal issue ×1
Legal: police complaint (concluded) October 2024
No criminality established; no action taken“We received a complaint, enquiries were carried out and no criminality has been established.” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conduct
Falkirk Reform UK councillor Claire Mackie-Brown was reported to Police Scotland and the Ethical Standards Commissioner over 'born and bred' remarks made in the context of anti-migrant protests and for sharing a platform with a Patriotic Alternative figure at a rally where attendees performed Hitler salutes.“Claire Mackie-Brown claimed that she has been removed from her role in Falkirk Council for 'standing up for her constituents'” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conduct August 2024
Falkirk Reform UK councillor Claire Mackie-Brown was reported to Police Scotland and the Ethical Standards Commissioner over her repeated appearances at anti-migrant protests, including sharing a stage with Patriotic Alternative's Richard McFarlane at a rally where Hitler salutes and a 'Kill 'Em All' banner were displayed, and over 'born and bred' remarks alleged to delegitimise asylum seekers.“It also condemned her silence at an anti-migrant protest, which saw her share a stage with Patriotic Alternative member Richard McFarlane who claimed white people will be a minority in the UK "by the 2060s" at a rally outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk in August.” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conduct September 2024
Falkirk Reform UK councillor Claire Mackie-Brown was reported to Police Scotland and the Ethical Standards Commissioner over her 'born and bred' remark during anti-migrant protests and her appearances alongside far-right figures at a rally outside the Cladhan Hotel where attendees performed Hitler salutes.“The level of detail provided in this complaint is a clear and calculated effort to destroy my credibility and silence me from highlighting the many issues affecting our town centre.” ↗George Madgwick (Hampshire)4 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 legal issue ×1
Legal: regulatory (concluded) 2025
Employment tribunals ordered Madgwick's businesses to pay £4,386 to former employees for breaching employment law; sums not yet paid; Madgwick contesting rulings and has applied for reconsideration“The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, which first reported the tribunal judgments, found two of Cllr Madgwick's businesses have been ordered to pay £4,386 to former employees for breaching employment law.” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductSocial media conduct
George Madgwick, Reform UK's Hampshire leader, faced criticism over former companies failing to pay employment tribunal awards for unpaid wages to ex-staff, alongside provocative social media posts on crime and immigration.“Cllr Madgwick is also known for provocative social‑media posts on crime and immigration.” ↗unverified Controversy 2022
Criticism from fellow councillors that standing for Winchester City Council a year after being elected in Paulsgrove was letting Paulsgrove residents down“He's dumping Paulsgrove. That doesn't send out the right message to our residents. He shouldn't be standing in two places and needs to resign.” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductFinancial impropriety 2025
Hampshire councillor George Madgwick faced accusations of hypocrisy after employment tribunals ruled two of his hospitality businesses had unlawfully withheld wages, holiday pay and maternity pay from staff, while he publicly argued on LBC that young people are paid too much and the minimum wage for under-21s should be cut.“Reform UK councillor Madgwick told the radio station LBC young people were being paid too much and were priced out of jobs.” ↗Glenda Hall (Sunderland)4 noteworthy findings
controversy ×4
ControversyRacismSocial media conductExtreme views
Sunderland Reform UK candidate Glenda Hall shared a Covid conspiracy theory video by Vernon Coleman and recommended a Substack post describing Afghan men as 'sexual predators' which expressed hope that accounts of their murder by western troops were true.“The Labour party chair, Anna Turley, called the comments "utterly deplorable".” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme viewsRacism 2020
Glenda Hall shared a Facebook video by conspiracy theorist Vernon Coleman questioning whether Covid was 'the hoax of the century', and separately recommended a blog post describing Afghan men as 'sexual predators'.“In 2020, Hall shared what she called an "interesting video" about whether Covid was the "hoax of the century" by a renowned conspiracy theorist called Vernon Coleman.” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conductExtreme views 2025
Glenda Hall shared a Covid conspiracy theory video by Vernon Coleman on Facebook and recommended a Substack post describing Afghan men as 'sexual predators' that endorsed the killing of Afghan men by western troops.“Last year she recommended a Substack post that called Afghan men "sexual predators", arguing that stories about the murder of Afghan men by western troops might have been "wishful thinking motivated by revulsion at the sexual behaviour of Afghan men".” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme views 2026-04-20
Glenda Hall, a Reform candidate in Sunderland, was reported to have shared Covid-19 conspiracy material questioning whether the pandemic was the 'hoax of the century', prompting bereaved families to demand her removal as a candidate.“Recent reporting has linked a number of Reform candidates to Covid and vaccine conspiracy theories or "sceptic" claims. They include Glenda Hall (backing a Covid conspiracy video)” ↗Graham Dalton (Lancashire)4 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 legal issue ×1 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: civil suit (alleged)
Threatened legal action against opposition councillor who raised conflict of interest concerns“A Reform UK councillor threatened legal action after an opposition councillor raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest in plans to close care homes” ↗ControversyMisconductHarassment
Graham Dalton, Reform UK cabinet member for adult social care at Lancashire County Council and co-owner of a private care provider, threatened legal action via council staff against an opposition councillor who raised conflict-of-interest concerns over care home closure plans.“Emails seen by The Lead show the councillor, through Lancashire County Council staff, issuing legal threats after his role in private care was questioned.” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme views
Lancashire County Councillor Graham Dalton (Reform UK) was criticised across parties for hypocritically posting a video calling for respectful political discourse while labelling Labour, Green and Lib Dem rivals 'Marxist' and blaming 'the left' for weaponising language.“A video posted by a Reform UK councillor at County Hall has caused cross-party bewilderment.” ↗COI: business
Dalton is co-owner and director of private care provider First for Care while serving as cabinet member for adult social care at Lancashire County Council, raising potential conflict of interest in decisions about care home closures.“Cllr Graham Dalton, Reform UK's cabinet member for adult social care at Lancashire County Council, is co-owner and director of private care provider First for Ca” ↗Jaymey McIvor (Epping Forest)4 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 legal issue ×1 selection failure ×1
Legal: other (alleged) 2024
McIvor denied sending the picture and said he resigned from the Conservative Party“Sources say he was expelled after an investigation into the allegations.” ↗ControversyMisconductHarassment January 2025
Jaymey McIvor was accused at a council meeting of having been expelled from the Conservative Party over allegations he sent an unsolicited picture of his genitals, which he denies.“The reason is you sent an unsolicited picture of your private parts, which is a criminal offence. Tell people that and see what they think of it then.” ↗ControversyMisconductParty misconduct January 2025
Jaymey McIvor was reportedly expelled from the Conservative party following allegations he sent an unsolicited picture of his genitals (which he denies), and subsequently defected to Reform UK without holding a byelection.“Councillor Aidan McGurran has sent threatening and abusive emails to Councillor McIvor from a local government email address. This breaks the code of conduct for members and he should apologise for his behaviour.” ↗Selection failure 2024
deselected by Conservative — parliamentary candidate (General Election July 2024)“Jaymey McIvor had been due to stand as a Tory parliamentary candidate in July but was suspended before the election. Sources say he was expelled after an investigation into the allegations.” ↗Joel Tetlow (Hyndburn)4 noteworthy findings
controversy ×4
ControversyRacismExtreme viewsSocial media conduct 2025
Joel Tetlow shared far-right content on Facebook, including posts from the British Democrats, with a caption claiming people from the 'third world don't integrate but infiltrate', and also compared Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves to child murderers Brady and Hindley.“Joel Tetlow, who is standing for Nigel Farage's party in Accrington North at the Lancashire County Council elections, shared content on his page including posts from the British Democrats, a group described as far-right and fascist.” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme viewsRacism 2025
Joel Tetlow, Reform UK candidate in Hyndburn, shared far-right content on Facebook including posts from the British Democrats with captions claiming third-world immigrants 'infiltrate', and posted an image comparing Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves to Moors Murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.“In a post, that has since been deleted, Mr Tetlow, a renewable energy consultant, compared Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to child murderers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, and dubbing them "heartless".” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conductExtreme views 2025
Joel Tetlow, Reform councillor for Accrington North, shared a social media post claiming without evidence that a murder suspect was an illegal immigrant/refugee based on his foreign name, prompting Labour MPs and councillors to call for his suspension; he has also previously shared posts comparing illegal immigrants to Nazis and Labour leaders to the Moors Murderers.“Taking to social media, Cllr Tetlow claimed the suspect is an illegal immigrant and that having a foreign name made him a refugee.” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme views May 2025
Joel Tetlow shared a post on his official Facebook page featuring Adolf Hitler with text likening small-boat Channel crossings to a Nazi invasion during VE Day anniversary week, prompting two Labour MPs to call for his suspension.“a photo of Adolf Hitler was shared on his official Facebook page” ↗Jonathan Fox (Sandwell)4 noteworthy findings
controversy ×4
ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conduct 2019
Jonathan Fox, Reform candidate in Sandwell, posted an image of bacon on Facebook in 2019 with the anti-Muslim caption 'People who eat bacon are less likely to blow themselves up.'“Jonathan James Fox, standing for Reform in Sandwell, posted an image of bacon on Facebook in 2019, along with the caption: "People who eat bacon are less likely to blow themselves up."” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conduct 2019
Jonathan Fox, a Reform UK candidate in Sandwell, posted an image of bacon on Facebook in 2019 with the caption 'People who eat bacon are less likely to blow themselves up,' implying Muslims are terrorists.“Jonathan James Fox, standing for Reform in Sandwell, posted an image of bacon on Facebook in 2019, along with the caption: "People who eat bacon are less likely to blow themselves up."” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conduct 2019
Jonathan Fox is alleged to have posted an Islamophobic image on Facebook in 2019 showing bacon with the caption 'People who eat bacon are less likely to blow themselves up'.“Fox is alleged to have posted an image of bacon on Facebook in 2019 with the caption: "People who eat bacon are less likely to blow themselves up" (Huffington Post). Reform UK did not respond to the outlet's request for comment.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaRacismSocial media conduct 2026
Jonathan Fox, Reform UK candidate for Sandwell's Bristnall ward, was named in a Labour dossier for sharing Enoch Powell statements and posting that 'People who eat bacon are less likely to blow themselves up'.“Shared Enoch Powell statements and posted that "People who eat bacon are less likely to blow themselves up"” ↗Mandy Clare (Cheshire West and Chester)4 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 selection failure ×1
ControversyAntisemitismSocial media conduct 2023-01
Mandy Clare posted on social media in January 2023 that she was 'proud to be associated with' ex-Labour MP Chris Williamson and dismissed antisemitism allegations against him as 'smears', and declined to disavow the comments when questioned.“I am proud to be associated with Chris and happy to have nothing to do with anyone who buys into these smears.” ↗ControversyAntisemitismSocial media conduct 2025-03
Mandy Clare faced criticism after social media posts emerged in which she said she was 'proud' to be associated with Chris Williamson and dismissed antisemitism allegations against him as 'smears', a position she declined to disavow when questioned.“Labour MP Paul Waugh was among those to raise concern about Farage's decision to welcome her into Reform and called for the party to investigate whethere she continues to be proud of Williamson.” ↗ControversyViolenceHomophobia 2025-07
Mandy Clare was charged with assault and criminal damage over an incident at Winsford Pride and suspended from her role as caseworker to Reform MP Sarah Pochin pending court proceedings.“Clare was immediately suspended from her position as a caseworker for Sarah Pochin, Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby, after the allegations were made.” ↗Selection failure 2022
deselected by Labour — Councillor (Winsford Dene / CW&C)“She was rewarded with deselection and disciplinaries. In 2022 Mandy resigned from the Labour party.” ↗Neil Stevens (Devon)4 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×2 controversy ×2
Legal: civil suit (concluded) 2025
High Court granted relief to Neil Stevens; judge found mistakes were in good faith and not criminal; expenses brought below statutory limit once correctly calculated“Justice Martin Spencer said any mistakes made by Neil Stevens and Rob Sheridan had been in good faith and Tony Stevens had not breached any rules.” ↗Legal: police complaint (pending) June 2025
High Court granted relief; judge found no bad faith; Devon and Cornwall Police considering the judgment before deciding on criminal investigation“Devon and Cornwall Police are yet to comment on what impact the judgment might have on the criminal investigation.” ↗ControversyMisconduct 2025
Neil Stevens submitted an election expenses return that exceeded the legal spending limit for his Alphington & Cowick seat, requiring him to seek High Court relief after relying on incorrect advice and ChatGPT to interpret the rules.“he had also checked his work using artificial intelligence, namely the widely used system, ChatGPT, with the result that this had confirmed his understanding of the rules” ↗unverified Controversy June 2025
Neil Stevens was reported to police by fellow Reform UK councillor Ed Hill for allegedly overspending on election campaign expenses and submitting a false election expenses return. The matter subsequently went to the High Court, which granted relief and found no bad faith.“Neil Stevens … has been reported by a fellow Reform UK councillor for the alleged overspend, and for a suspected false election expenses return submission” ↗Rachel Reed (Doncaster)4 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 conflict of interest ×1
ControversyBusiness misconductMisconduct September 2025
Rachel Reed co-founded Fly Doncaster (Auxiliary Services) Ltd with fellow Reform councillor Dave Knight — a company mirroring the council's airport management company name and intended to do business with the council — without party approval, subsequently resigning as a director.“Dave Knight was listed on Companies House as a director of Fly Doncaster (Auxiliary Services) Ltd alongside Rachel Reed, a fellow Reform councillor and the party's deputy leader on City of Doncaster Council.” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductMisconduct September 2025
Rachel Reed resigned as deputy leader of Doncaster Council's Reform UK group and was removed from committee appointments after co-founding 'Fly Doncaster (Auxiliary Services)', a company with a name closely mirroring the council-owned airport management firm.“Cllr Reed stayed on as deputy leader of the council for a few days after the controversy began but has now resigned that post though remains a Reform UK councillor.” ↗ControversyMisconductBusiness misconduct September 2025
Rachel Reed resigned as deputy leader of Doncaster Council and gave up her directorship after setting up Fly Doncaster (Auxiliary Services) Ltd, a company with a name strikingly similar to the council-owned airport management company, prompting accusations of a conflict of interest.“She has also now resigned her directorship at Fly Doncaster (Auxiliary Services), Companies House records show.” ↗COI: business
Reed was registered as a director of Fly Doncaster (Auxiliary Services) Ltd, a private company set up to do business with the council in connection with Doncaster Sheffield Airport, while simultaneously chairing the council's Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee tasked with scrutinising those very plans.“Reform accepted Knight had created the business, which would have dealt directly with the council, for "financial gain".” ↗Ronald Firman (West Northamptonshire)4 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3 legal issue ×1
Legal: council standards (concluded) April 2025
Parish council reminded Firman of its conduct code; no suspension or removal as parish councils lack that legal power“A parish council said it had reminded a member standing as a Reform UK local election candidate of its conduct code after offensive sexist and racist tweets on his old social media account emerged.” ↗ControversyRacismMisogynySocial media conduct 2017-2018 (resurfaced April 2025)
Ronald Firman, a parish councillor and Reform UK candidate for West Northamptonshire Council, was reminded of the conduct code after racist, misogynistic and offensive tweets from 2017-2018 resurfaced, including suggesting a Somali refugee be thrown from a plane, joking about the KKK, mocking Grenfell victims as having 'pretend relatives', and demeaning remarks about F1 grid girls.“They included suggesting a refugee should be thrown out of a plane and references to Grenfell victims losing "pretend relatives", as well as white supremacist group the Ku Klux Klan.” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conductMisogyny 2025
Ronald Firman was exposed during the election campaign for posting sexist and racist tweets between 2017-2018, including suggesting a refugee should be thrown out of a plane and mocking Grenfell victims as having 'pretend relatives'.“Despite Nigel Farage's claim that Reform UK had in place 'a vetting system as good as, if not better than, the other parties', and Reform UK Chair Zia Yusuf's assertion of even more rigorous candidate checks, both councillors were approved despite sharing Islamophobic, sexist and racist content.” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conductExtreme views May 2025
Ronald Firman was exposed during the election campaign for sexist and racist tweets posted under his name in 2017-2018, including suggesting a refugee should be thrown out of a plane and mocking Grenfell victims as having 'pretend relatives', prompting cross-party calls for disciplinary action.“We remain shocked and horrified that the Reform UK leadership, both nationally and locally, is completely indifferent to the abhorrent social media posts of its newly elected councillors, Ivan Dabbs and Ron Firman.” ↗Alan Amos (Worcester)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 legal issue ×1
Legal: police complaint (concluded) 1992
Arrested and cautioned for alleged indecency; not charged with any offence“Coun Amos resigned as Hexham MP shortly before the general election in 1992 after being arrested on Hampstead Heath alongside another man and cautioned for alleged indecency. Mr Amos was not charged with any offence.” ↗ControversyMisconductExtreme views
Alan Amos, while serving as Conservative MP for Hexham, publicly advocated that rapists and muggers should be 'flogged', and resigned in 1992 after being cautioned for alleged indecency on Hampstead Heath.“As an MP, Coun Amos was known for his tough views on crime, stating he believed rapists and muggers should be "flogged".” ↗ControversyMisogyny 2016
Alan Amos suggested in 2016 that it was far too easy for women to report allegations of rape, and previously resigned as a Tory MP in 1992 over alleged indecency on Hampstead Heath.“As a Tory councillor in 2016, he suggested it was far too easy for women to report allegations of rape.” ↗Andrew Hamilton-Gray (Leicestershire)3 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: regulatory (concluded) January 2024
Dismissed without notice from Leicestershire Police for gross misconduct (breaching professional standards on honesty and integrity, discreditable conduct, orders and instructions, and duties and responsibilities) in January 2024“He was dismissed from the force in January 2024 for breaching professional standards on "honesty and integrity, discreditable conduct, orders and instructions, and duties and responsibilities".” ↗ControversyDishonestyMisconductBusiness misconduct May 2025
Andrew Hamilton-Gray was dismissed from Leicestershire Police in January 2024 for gross misconduct after lying about being sick to travel to Barcelona for his car sales business, a fact he did not disclose to voters before being elected as a Reform county councillor.“the Leicestershire Conservative group – which lost control of the council to Reform and now forms the main opposition – has called for the councillor's immediate suspension. Group leader Deborah Taylor said the police incident constituted a "clear breach of public trust" and a "serious failure to disclose vital information to the electorate."” ↗COI: business
While serving as a police constable, Hamilton-Gray ran a second business selling luxury cars (Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche). The force had granted permission subject to conditions that police duties took precedence and the business could not be pursued when signed off sick, conditions he was found to have violated.“Leicestershire Police added that Hamilton-Gray would have been given a copy of the force's business interest conditions when he registered his company with Leicestershire Police in 2018.” ↗Andy Mahon (Blackburn with Darwen)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3
ControversyRacismHomophobiaMisogynySocial media conduct April-May 2026
Andy Mahon, Reform UK candidate for Blackburn South-East, faced calls to be suspended after his personal Facebook account was found to contain racist (including use of the n-word), sexist, homophobic and other offensive posts about various politicians.“But the chairman of its Blackburn branch, Tommy Temperley, has declined saying: "Reform UK believes in freedom of speech."” ↗ControversyRacismMisogynySocial media conduct post 7 May 2026
Andy Mahon faced a formal standards complaint over Facebook posts that allegedly used the 'n' word and made sexist and offensive remarks about female MPs including Hannah Spencer and Angela Rayner.“Community activist Sabir Esa lodged an official complaint about Blackburn South East's Cllr Andy Mahon's Facebook messages.” ↗ControversyRacismMisogynyHomophobiaSocial media conduct pre-May 2026
Andy Mahon, Reform UK candidate in Blackburn South-East, posted racist (including the 'n' word), sexist, homophobic and ageist content on his personal Facebook account, including offensive remarks about MPs Hannah Spencer, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting, and posts implying Keir Starmer would appoint paedophiles as ministers.“They include the use of the 'n' word, sexist and offensive remarks about new Green MP for Gorton and Denton and plumber Hannah Spencer, and references to former Labour deputy leader and Ashton-under Lyne MP Angela Rayner being overweight.” ↗Axel Tye (Sunderland)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3
ControversySocial media conductExtreme views
Axel Tye reportedly posted Covid-denialist misinformation online urging people to delete the NHS app and stop getting tested as a way to 'stop covid'.“Tye is reported to have written of Covid: "Stop covid in it's [sic] tracks in two simple steps. 1. Delete the [NHS] app. 2. Stop getting tested" (as per The Times).” ↗ControversyAntisemitismSocial media conduct
Axel Tye, a Reform UK candidate in Sunderland, shared an antisemitic mural image on Facebook along with other conspiracy theory posts including content about people being 'exterminated' as 'carbon' governments want to reduce.“Tye shared a number of other questionable posts, including one claiming: "We are getting exterminated. We are the carbon the governments of the world want to reduce."” ↗ControversyAntisemitismSocial media conductExtreme views 2021
Axel Tye, Reform UK candidate in Sunderland, shared on Facebook the antisemitic Mear One mural (depicting hook-nosed wealthy men) with the caption 'One of the most powerful images I've ever seen', along with other conspiracy posts about 'extermination' and Covid masks.“In a 2021 post on Facebook, Axel Tye, the party's candidate in Penshaw and Shiney Row in Sunderland, shared an image containing the infamous mural by graffiti artist Mear One, which contains a number of antisemitic tropes.” ↗Brett Rosehill (Hertsmere)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 legal issue ×1
Legal: other (concluded) 2022
Formally reprimanded by Conservative Party; ordered to attend training seminars“councillors Brett Rosehill, who won the by-election, Glenn Briski and Paul Morris were "party to a personal campaign against the claimant in relation to the 2020 by-election, and which continued for many months."” ↗ControversyMisconductParty misconductAntisemitism 2020
Brett Rosehill was formally reprimanded by the Conservative Party after a QC-led investigation found he engaged in a negative personal smear campaign against Jewish Labour candidate Dr Dan Ozarow during the 2020 Borehamwood Kenilworth by-election, including signing a letter implying Ozarow supported terrorist organisations.“during the three days preceding the 2020 by-election the Conservative Party delivered a smear letter signed by their candidate Rosehill implying that Ozarow supported terrorist organisations, along with other misleading, untrue and unjustified claims.” ↗ControversyAntisemitismParty misconductDishonesty 2020
Brett Rosehill was formally reprimanded after a QC-led Conservative Party investigation found he was party to a smear campaign against Jewish Labour candidate Dan Ozarow in the 2020 Borehamwood Kenilworth by-election, including signing a letter implying Ozarow supported terrorist organisations, conduct the panel found may have encouraged antisemitic abuse against him.“Cllr Rosehill's wife had to remove another defamatory remark that she posted on a local Facebook group on election day.” ↗Carl Abbott (Leicestershire)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 legal issue ×1
unverified Legal: other (pending) 2026-01
Council launched investigation to find source of leak of internal meeting recording“a council spokesperson said the authority would not comment on the issue but confirmed an investigation had been launched to find the source of the leak” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaExtreme views 2026-01-05
Carl Abbott, a Reform UK councillor and Leicestershire County Council cabinet member, was widely condemned for suggesting in a Prevent counter-terrorism briefing that teaching Muslim prayer in primary schools could lead to radicalisation and increased crime.“Labour county councillor Jewel Miah, who was also in the briefing, said Abbott's remarks were prejudiced and has called for him to resign.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaExtreme views 2026-01-12
Carl Abbott, Reform UK cabinet member for adult social care, was accused by UNISON of making Islamophobic remarks during a council counter-terrorism training session by suggesting Muslim children being taught to pray in schools could lead to radicalisation and crime.“Cllr Carl Abbott, cabinet member for adult social care, questioned whether Muslim children being taught to pray in schools could lead to radicalisation and an increase in crime.” ↗Craig Holmes (Redcar and Cleveland)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 legal issue ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) 2020
“Redcar and Cleveland Council has confirmed it has received complaints and they were being investigated.” ↗ControversySocial media conductRacism
Craig Holmes was investigated by Redcar and Cleveland Council after posting Facebook comments referencing terrorist incidents in discussion threads following Black Lives Matter protests.“In one post seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Craig Holmes referred to a number of terrorist incidents while his brother made a separate comment about Labour MP Diane Abbott's views.” ↗ControversyMisconductSocial media conduct October 2024
Craig Holmes was photographed urinating against a wall in a country lane, an image shared before the Skelton East by-election, and responded with expletive-laden social media posts dismissing concerns and attacking 'weird lefty's'.“Prior to votes being cast, an image identifying Councillor Holmes was shared on social media by an account calling itself 'Reform Party UK Exposed'. It appeared to show Cllr Holmes urinating against a brick wall in a rural setting” ↗Daniel Matchett (Lancashire)3 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: other (pending) 2024-2026
Employment Tribunal claim for belief discrimination; five-day hearing provisionally set for August 2026“He has lodged a formal claim with the Employment Tribunal, represented by Elliot Hammer from Branch Austin McCormick LLP, with a provisional date for a five-day hearing set for August 2026.” ↗ControversySocial media conductDishonesty
Daniel Matchett spread unverified Facebook claims about a family housed at King George's Chambers in Bacup, which Rossendale Borough Council publicly rebutted as unfounded rumours linked to anti-immigrant speculation.“the council wanted to quash rumours posted on Facebook by a Reform UK candidate, Daniel Matchett, who said that the family had been placed there by the council and left in appalling conditions.” ↗COI: employment
Matchett is Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for health, which automatically appoints him to LSCFT's council of governors, while simultaneously being in an employment dispute with LSCFT at an Employment Tribunal.“Daniel also serves as Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for health. As part of this role, he is automatically appointed to LSCFT's council of governors” ↗Gary Tarbuck (Oldham)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3
ControversyHarassmentRacismMisogyny 2022
Gary Tarbuck is described as a 'de facto Rabble Leader' who helped deliver leaflets as part of an online smear campaign against Labour councillor Arooj Shah that was characterised as 'dehumanising, racist and misogynistic'.“Another unemployed conspiracy theorist and de facto Rabble Leader, Gary Tarbuck in Royton South (read more here)” ↗ControversyRacismMisogynyParty misconduct 2022
Gary Tarbuck is alleged to have helped deliver a smear leaflet (described by its target as 'dehumanising, racist and misogynistic') in Chadderton South during the 2022 Oldham Council elections, alongside conspiracy theorist Raja Miah.“the leaflet was delivered by, amongst others, Miah himself, assisted by Tarbuck and Ms Kovacs. A fact to which Barnes had absolutely no answer.” ↗ControversyDishonestyMisconduct April 2021
Oldham councillor Gary Tarbuck was accused by blogger Neil Wilby of deceptively showing public solidarity with independent councillor Montaz Ali Azad in Coldhurst while concealing Azad's 2016 convictions for tax fraud and employing illegal immigrants.“A further deception by both Tarbuck and Miah is the omission of the fact that one of the independent councillors, with whom Gary was showing solidarity in Coldhurst, is corrupt ex-Cllr Montaz Ali Azad.” ↗Joel Tetlow (Lancashire)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 legal issue ×1
Legal: other (concluded) October 2024
Cleared; judge accepted reasonable excuse“A Lancashire County Councillor who failed to turn up for jury duty was said to have not committed an offence.” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme viewsRacism May 2025
Joel Tetlow, Reform UK councillor for Accrington North, faced cross-party calls for his removal after posting a Facebook image of Hitler captioned to compare small-boat Channel crossings to a Nazi invasion.“There have been cross-party calls for Reform UK to throw out one of their new Lancashire county councillors after he posted a picture of Hitler on his Facebook page.” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme viewsRacism May 2025
Joel Tetlow, Reform UK councillor for Accrington North, faced cross-party calls for expulsion after sharing a Facebook image of Hitler comparing Channel migrant crossings to a Nazi invasion, having previously been criticised for sharing a post from a group widely considered far-right.“who was criticised in the run-up to the local elections for sharing a post from a group widely considered to be far-right” ↗Kathy Hodson (Wirral)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3
ControversyRacism
Kathy Hodson used a racial slur (uncensored) during an interview with The Post while attempting to make a point about how acceptable language has evolved over time.“When I was a little girl, if you went to buy cotton in a shop, and you went to the brown section, there would be 'fawn brown', and then there would be 'n***er brown'.” ↗ControversyRacism
Kathy Hodson, during an interview about her defection to Reform UK, uncensored used a racial slur (the n-word) while recounting old cotton colour names, and defended Nigel Farage's alleged racist school-era conduct.“both Hodsons feel Kathy was unjustly passed over for the kind of leadership position she now holds” ↗ControversyRacism July 2024
Kathy Hodson made a racial stereotype during a Wirral Council meeting, suggesting Birkenhead Town Hall be turned into a casino because the local Chinese community 'love gambling', and later withdrew her remarks as politically incorrect.“Cllr Hodson sought to clarify her comments. She said it was politically incorrect and asked everything she said to be withdrawn so she didn't offend anybody.” ↗Lewis Croden (Salford)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3
ControversyParty misconductMisconductDishonesty
Lewis Croden triggered a controversial and costly by-election in Salford shortly after the death of a long-serving councillor (seen as disrespectful to the family), and is alleged by former Tory colleagues to have secretly recorded a confidential party meeting and leaked the recording before defecting to Reform UK.“has allegedly spent months trying to disparage his former Conservative colleagues” ↗ControversyParty misconductDishonesty 2025
Lewis Croden is alleged by former Conservative colleagues to have secretly recorded a confidential Manchester and Salford Conservatives meeting discussing sensitive allegations and then anonymously sent the recordings to senior Tories including Kemi Badenoch's office.“According to former Tory colleagues of his, Croden had secretly recorded a meeting of Manchester and Salford Conservatives.” ↗ControversyMisconductParty misconductDishonesty February-April 2026
Lewis Croden, a Reform defector in Salford, forced a £20,000+ standalone by-election just days after the death of England's longest-serving councillor David Lancaster and before his funeral arrangements were complete, and was allegedly behind the covert recording and leaking of a confidential Conservative meeting before his defection.“Lancaster's family had hardly begun arranging his funeral when the by-election was called.” ↗Mark Findlater (Aberdeenshire)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 legal issue ×1
Legal: regulatory (pending)
“Aberdeenshire Council have confirmed the dog warden is looking into the incident. A spokesman said: "Our environmental health team received a complaint which will be investigated."” ↗ControversyMisconductSocial media conduct
Mark Findlater was reported to environmental health and investigated by Aberdeenshire Council's dog warden after being seen kicking his dog's mess into bushes near Banff Bridge, despite publicly championing the council's Green Dog Walkers anti-fouling campaign, and then posted a video appearing to mock the constituent who reported him.“Macduff's Mark Findlater was spotted by a local woman "kicking" dog mess into bushes at Palmercove, near Banff Bridge.” ↗ControversyMisconductSocial media conduct
Mark Findlater was investigated by Aberdeenshire Council's environmental health team after being seen kicking his dog's mess into bushes despite championing the council's anti-dog-fouling campaign, and was accused of mocking the complainant in a follow-up social media video.“Mrs Noble was also incensed that Mr Findlater later posted a video of his dog Hardie online which she felt mocked her.” ↗Mike Broom (Staffordshire)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3
ControversyMisconduct 2025
Mike Broom was publicly criticised by Biddulph Town Council as 'disgraceful' for repeatedly failing to attend town council meetings without apologies and for ignoring town councillors' emails about local issues for months after his May 2025 election.“Community leaders have branded their county councillors' lack of attendance at town council meetings "disgraceful" - and are taking their concerns to the authority's leader. Biddulph Town councillors spoke out at a recent meeting after their county representatives - Mike Broom and Bob Egginton - failed to show up or give apologies for absence.” ↗ControversyMisconduct 2025
Staffordshire county councillor Mike Broom was publicly criticised by Biddulph Town Council for repeatedly failing to attend town council meetings without apologies and for ignoring or significantly delaying responses to councillors' emails about local issues.“On 22nd August I sent him an email about a damaged pavement by the bus stop in Biddulph Moor. He finally replied to that on November 1st, saying he'd mention it again and keep me informed (and) the others I've had no reply on.” ↗ControversyMisconduct 2025
Staffordshire county councillor Mike Broom was criticised by Biddulph Town Council for repeatedly failing to attend meetings without apologies and ignoring councillors' emails about constituent concerns, prompting a formal complaint to the county council leader.“It seems to me now as if they've got elected, got their feet under the table and they're not really that interested in anybody's concerns and problems that are going on in the area.” ↗Paul Cutts (Doncaster)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 legal issue ×1
unverified Legal: other (pending) January 2025
Suspended from Reform UK group pending formal investigation; sitting as independent councillor during investigation“Cutts, who represents Wheatley Hills and Intake, was suspended from Reform UK in January.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views April 2024
Paul Cutts was suspended by Reform UK from Doncaster council over Islamophobic Facebook posts (including calling for a boycott of Muslim-owned businesses and sharing 'England shouldn't look like this' content), having previously been exposed by Hope Not Hate for promoting Islamophobic 'outbreed us' conspiracy theories, praising Tommy Robinson as 'A PATRIOT', and posting in support of Andrew Tate.“campaign group Hope Not Hate revealed back in April that he had voiced Islamophobic conspiracy theories that the religion plans to "out Breed us, And take Over [sic]". He had called violent football lout Stephen Lennon, who likes to be known as Tommy Robinson, "A PATRIOT", and called on his followers to attend a demonstration in October 2024.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views January 2025
Paul Cutts was suspended by Reform UK after sharing Islamophobic Facebook posts, including one calling for a boycott of Muslim-owned businesses and another captioned 'England shouldn't look like this', alongside praise for Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate.“Cutts has been suspended by the party over a number of posts he had shared on Facebook, including one calling for a boycott of Muslim-owned businesses.” ↗Paul Harrison (Leicestershire)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3
ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views 2025
Paul Harrison, a Reform councillor on Leicestershire County Council, reportedly endorsed a Britain First post by Paul Golding backing mass deportations, accompanied by an AI-generated image of Muslim men with Pakistani flags.“Paul Harrison, a Reform councillor from Leicestershire County Council, allegedly endorsed a post by Britain First leader Paul Golding on X.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views May 2025
Paul Harrison retweeted a Britain First post by leader Paul Golding endorsing mass deportations and featuring an AI-generated image of Muslim men with Pakistani flags, replying 'yes' in support.“He retweeted and said "yes" to a question posed on X by Britain First's chair who asked if followers supported mass deportations and posted an AI-generated picture of Muslim men with Pakistani flags.” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme views May 2025
Paul Harrison, chair of Leicestershire County Council, was the subject of a Hope Not Hate investigation that uncovered alarming social media posts he made while a Reform UK candidate during the 2025 election campaign.“A recent investigation by Hope Not Hate revealed a series of alarming social media posts made by both Boam and Harrison while they were candidates during the election campaign.” ↗Peter York (West Northamptonshire)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 legal issue ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) March 2025
“They have requested WNC's monitoring officer conduct a full investigation into whether Cllr York breached the code of conduct.” ↗ControversyMisogyny 2025-03-07
Peter York, vice chairman of West Northamptonshire Council, allegedly said 'some women should have never left the kitchen' and criticised the government cabinet for having too many women at an International Women's Day event, prompting a formal complaint and council apology.“Peter York, vice chairman of West Northamptonshire Council, allegedly said "some women should have never left the kitchen" during a conversation at Northampton Guildhall on Saturday.” ↗ControversyMisogyny 2025-03-14
Peter York made sexist remarks at an International Women's Day event in Northampton, telling attendees 'some women should never have left the kitchen' and speaking in derogatory terms about senior women Labour MPs, prompting a formal complaint and joint condemnation from all three opposition groups.“The three opposition groups on West Northants council have united to condemn sexist comments made by the Reform UK vice chairman and accuse the administration of failing to hold him to account.” ↗Richard Palmer (Kent)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3
ControversyMisconductDishonesty
Richard Palmer was named in an investigation alleging he misused the Localism Act 2011 s.32 exemption to withhold his home address from Kent County Council's register of interests, despite the same address remaining publicly accessible via Swale Borough Council records, undermining transparency rules.“Richard Palmer, Chair of KCC also a member of Swale Borough Council, and his home address is publicly published on Swale's website.” ↗ControversyExtreme viewsRacism 2025-01-28
Richard Palmer, Reform UK group leader on Swale Borough Council, tabled a 'border emergency' immigration motion and subsequently defended far-right activists who disrupted council meetings, describing hecklers shouting about 'demographic replacement' as 'quite well behaved' and blaming a Lib Dem councillor for provoking them.“By excusing disruption, amplifying far-right narratives and publicly backing extremist activists, they are helping to normalise behaviour that undermines local democracy itself.” ↗unverified Controversy 2025-01-28
Palmer blamed Lib Dem councillor Hannah Perkin's description of his motion as 'dog whistle politics' for winding up far-right protesters who disrupted the council meeting“he blamed the disruption on Liberal Democrat councillor Hannah Perkin, claiming her description of the motion as "dog whistle politics" had "wound up the crowd".” ↗Scott Holman (Croydon)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3
ControversyMisconductDishonesty 2024-07-05
Scott Holman, Reform UK's Croydon East parliamentary candidate, failed to appear at any hustings or the election declaration and was suspected of being a 'phantom candidate' used to inflate the party's public funding entitlement.“"Is Mr Holman here?" Katherine Kerswell, the returning officer, asked, to no one in particular in the early hours of Friday morning.
"No one's seen him throughout the campaign," said Jason Cummings, the Tory candidate” ↗ControversyViolenceHarassmentMisconduct 2026-05-08
Scott Holman, Reform candidate, stood for election simultaneously in Croydon (New Addington South) and Essex (Colchester Abbey) on the same day, and was reported to have aggressively confronted an Inside Croydon reporter at the count, allegedly appearing as though he was about to physically attack him for taking his photograph.“Reform's Scott Holman is standing for election in two councils, Croydon and Essex.” ↗ControversyViolenceHarassment 2026-05-09
Scott Holman, Reform candidate, aggressively confronted an Inside Croydon reporter at the Croydon election count, demanding deletion of a photograph and standing over him in a manner that staff feared would turn violent.“Holman then approached Towl (who is 6ft 2in tall) and "demanded that I delete the photograph".
Towl said: "He stood in front of me like he was going to deck me.
"Staff whisked me away because it looked like it was about to get violent."” ↗Stephen Place (Bradford)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 selection failure ×1
ControversyMisogynySocial media conductIslamophobia 2024
Stephen Place, Reform UK's newly appointed Bradford leader, faced calls for suspension over his social media posts including a sexually demeaning image of Angela Rayner, a post objectifying women's breasts, and an image implying a Muslim woman had been beaten into wearing a hijab.“in a Facebook group called The Bruges Group, Cllr Place apparently said: "I have never seen so many Tories dressing up as farmer today, including Nigel Farage - pathetic."” ↗ControversyMisogynyIslamophobiaSocial media conduct May 2025
Stephen Place, Reform UK's Bradford leader, faced suspension calls over offensive social media posts including a sexist image of Angela Rayner alongside a '£1 for 30 minutes' sign, an image implying a Muslim woman was beaten into wearing a hijab, and a degrading post about women's breasts.“We call on Reform UK to suspend Place immediately and encourage him to resign as his online conduct is incompatible with holding public office.” ↗Selection failure May 2025
rejected/not selected by Reform UK — Bradford councillor / Reform UK group leader“It beggars belief that he passed Reform UK's vetting process.” ↗Steven Plater (Doncaster)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×3
ControversyRacismExtreme viewsSocial media conduct
Steven Plater, Reform candidate for Adwick-Le-Street & Carcroft in Doncaster, was identified by Hope not Hate as having posted on social media that 'we are now living under a multicultural and anti-White tyranny', flagged as far-right white nationalist content.“Steve Plater, candidate for Adwick-Le-Street & Carcroft, who said we are "now living under a multicultural and anti-White tyranny."” ↗ControversyExtreme viewsSocial media conductRacism
Steven Plater reposted articles from Patriotic Alternative, a far-right organisation described as neo-Nazi by Hope Not Hate.“Cllr Steve Plater (Doncaster): reposted articles from Patriotic Alternative (PA), a far-right organisation – described as neo-Nazi by Hope Not Hate” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductRacism
Steven Plater, a Reform UK councillor in Doncaster, was subject to a council code of conduct investigation after posting a social media image depicting Prime Minister Keir Starmer being led on a leash by a man in Arab dress, which the council deemed Islamophobic and racist.“the image depicted Sir Keir Starmer being led on a leash by a man in Arab dress — satirising widely reported debates about potential influences on the Prime Minister. Despite this, Doncaster Council launched a formal investigation, claiming the post was "Islamophobic", racist and discriminatory.” ↗Thomas Kerr (Glasgow City)3 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2 conflict of interest ×1
unverified Controversy
Reform MSP Graham Simpson allegedly called Kerr a 'weasel'; Simpson denied it, claiming he said 'lion'“Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar claimed that Reform MSP Graham Simpson had called Kerr a "weasel". Simpson denied the claim, and insisted he had called Kerr a "lion".” ↗unverified Controversy May 2026
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken refused to congratulate Kerr on his MSP election, accusing him of 'racist hate' and being a 'prominent offender' during the campaign; SNP-Greens motion passed describing Reform as a 'racist far-right party'“That is why I withhold my congratulations from councillor Thomas Kerr who was a prominent offender.” ↗COI: family political
Kerr is in a relationship with fellow Reform UK politician Aimee Alexander; a 'cronyism' row was reported in connection with this“Reform candidate defends party official girlfriend amid 'cronyism' row” ↗Aaron Pickering (Kingston upon Hull)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×1 conflict of interest ×1
ControversyDishonestyMisconduct 2026
Aaron Pickering, who lives at Park Farm in Winestead (East Riding), listed a Hull care home on Wansbeck Road as his 'principal or only place of work' to qualify as a Reform UK council election candidate in Hull, raising questions about whether he genuinely met the Electoral Commission's qualifying criteria.“They confirm both Kelly and Pickering list the same address on the city's Longhill estate as their "principal or only place of work". The address is question in Wansbeck Road is a privately-run five-bed care home operated by Harkins Care Ltd.” ↗COI: business
Pickering co-directs an events company with Richard Kelly (Reform UK Hull chairman and fellow councillor), and both are linked to Park Farm purchased by the White Hall Estate. Pickering listed a care home owned by Kelly as his qualifying 'place of work' for Hull council candidacy.“A post on the White Hall Estate's Facebook page from last September announces the recent purchase of Park Farm by the Estate for £1.5m and features a couple of images of Kelly and Pickering celebrating in the farm's main yard.” ↗Alison Sheridan (Exeter)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyRacismParty misconduct 23 August 2024
Alison Sheridan attended an anti-asylum hotel protest in Exeter wearing her official council ID lanyard and made inflammatory statements conflating migrants with threats to women, prompting formal code of conduct complaints from Green councillors and anti-racism groups.“Alison Sheridan (Con, St Loyes) was pictured during a protest outside a hotel near Exeter Airport at the weekend, draped in a Union Flag and clearly wearing her ID lanyard.” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conduct August 2024
Alison Sheridan publicly claimed the top floor of a Hampton by Hilton hotel near Exeter Airport had been 'taken over' by young male asylum seekers, a claim the hotel denied (saying residents were single women and families) and which her party declined to substantiate when challenged.“"The entire top floor has been taken over by young men," added Exeter City Council's Cllr Alison Sheridan” ↗Anne Davis (Tendring)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: council standards (concluded) 2017
Found to have breached code of conduct; required to undertake refresher Code of Conduct training“Anne Davis, who represents Tendring Council's Hamford ward, breached the councillors' code of conduct by remaining on the authority's standards committee when it decided the fate of a fellow councillor she had supported in court.” ↗ControversyMisconduct 2017
Anne Davis was found to have breached Tendring Council's code of conduct by remaining on the standards committee that judged fellow councillor Lis Bennison, whom Davis had accompanied to court, and was ordered to undertake refresher training.“Mrs Davis had declared that she attended court with Ukip councillor Lis Bennison, but an investigation was launched after complaints by resident William Hones and district councillor Andy Baker.” ↗Bailey Nash-Gardner (Havering)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×1 conflict of interest ×1
ControversyIslamophobiaDishonesty 2026
Bailey Nash-Gardner, owner of the self-described impartial Politics UK platform and a Reform councillor, faced criticism after his platform singled out a group of independent candidates as 'the Muslim independents' on election day while not applying similar labels to others, alongside wider conflict-of-interest concerns about his political affiliations.“In a post published on election day, the account referred to a group of independent candidates as "the Muslim independents," despite not applying similar religious or ethnic labels to other independent candidates. Critics accused the post of singling out Muslim candidates in a way that risked fuelling division.” ↗COI: business
Nash-Gardner is owner of Politics UK, a political news aggregation platform that presents itself as impartial, while serving as a Reform UK councillor. Critics allege the platform gives favourable coverage to Reform UK.“Nash-Gardner's election to Havering Council means that one of the country's most prominent political social media platforms — one that describes itself as offering "impartial coverage" — is now owned by a sitting councillor representing a party that critics say receives favourable coverage on the platform.” ↗Ben Green (South Kesteven)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyMisconductParty misconduct
Ben Green refused to complete any of the four mandatory council training courses (Code of Conduct, DEI, Prevent and Safeguarding), forfeiting his right to vote at scrutiny committees, with the council leader branding the stance 'performative politics' and accusing him of presenting 'indolence and ignorance as signals of virtue'.“Coun Green has completed none of the mandatory training” ↗ControversyMisconductParty misconduct
Ben Green, a Reform UK councillor on South Kesteven District Council, lost his right to vote at scrutiny committees after refusing to complete any of the council's mandatory training (including Code of Conduct, equality, Prevent and Safeguarding), with the council leader accusing him of 'deliberately choosing ignorance'.“Coun Jeal and Coun Green have deliberately chosen ignorance.” ↗Bente Height (Somerset)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyMisconduct
Somerset councillor Bente Height made a widely ridiculed proposal to withdraw funding from the Somerset Rivers Authority based on figures a local democracy reporter fact-checked as wrong, characterising her as either 'deliberately mendacious or simply innumerate'.“First there was Bente - Cllr Height's widely ridiculed proposal to withdraw funding from the Somerset Rivers Authority” ↗ControversyMisconduct
Somerset councillor Bente Height was publicly fact-checked and ridiculed for making inaccurate claims, including a widely-criticised proposal to withdraw funding from the Somerset Rivers Authority based on wrong figures.“This is the second time in as many weeks that I have covered an example of Reform getting its figures totally wrong.” ↗Brett Muscroft (Wakefield)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views
Brett Muscroft, a Reform UK Wakefield candidate, was reported to have shared offensive social media posts expressing support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson and an image equating Islam to cancer.“Brett Muscroft, a Wakefield candidate, allegedly expressed support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson and shared an image equating Islam to cancer.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views February 2025
Brett Muscroft is alleged to have expressed support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson and shared a social media image equating Islam to cancer.“Muscroft is alleged to have expressed support for Tommy Robinson and to have shared an image in February 2025 equating Islam to cancer (The Independent). Muscroft has not publicly responded.” ↗Daniel Burcham (Norfolk)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: police complaint (pending) 2025
“Mr Burcham was one of a group of Attleborough councillors who last month asked the police to investigate what had happened to the £10,000. The force has yet to say if it will do so.” ↗COI: business
Burcham ran The Bear pub owned by the Taylor family, whose members also sit on the same council; the business dispute over the lease withdrawal overlaps with ongoing political rivalry between the Reform 'Newbies' and the Taylor faction on Attleborough Town Council.“As well as their political rivalry, the tensions also stem from a heated business dispute. For two months last year, Mr Burcham ran the town's Bear pub, which is owned by the Taylors, before they ended the arrangement.” ↗Daniel Jellyman (Stoke-on-Trent)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyMisconduct February 2023
Daniel Jellyman, as Stoke-on-Trent's cabinet member for heritage, authorised the demolition of the Capo statue by Vincent Woropay with the flippant comment 'nothing lasts forever, best get rid,' while the council publicly blamed contractors; he resigned as Deputy Leader after FOI requests exposed his role.“Further investigations and Freedom of Information requests by BBC Radio Stoke showed that this was no error on the part of contractors, but more an instruction by Jellyman who had flippantly authorised the removal of the statue” ↗ControversyMisconduct early 2023
Daniel Jellyman resigned as Deputy Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council after he was found to have flippantly authorised the demolition of the Capo sculpture (a Josiah Wedgwood statue by Vincent Woropay), telling contractors 'nothing lasts forever, best get rid', while the council initially blamed contractors for the destruction of the city's heritage.“having clung on as Deputy Leader for as long as possible, Jellyman had no choice but to resign his post, losing over £15k in allowances for special responsibilities” ↗Daniel Matchett (Blackburn with Darwen)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: other (pending) scheduled August 2026
“I am currently pursuing an employment tribunal claim against Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust regarding an attempt to discipline me over a 2024 campaign video connected to my parliamentary candidacy. The case is scheduled for August 2026.” ↗COI: other
Matchett sits on the Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Council of Governors while simultaneously pursuing an employment tribunal claim against the same trust“I am currently pursuing an employment tribunal claim against Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust” ↗Darren Colling (Birmingham)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyMisogynySocial media conduct May 2025
Darren Colling was exposed for posting 'creepy' and sexually suggestive comments — including a sexually explicit remark — on Threads posts by young women, hastily deleting them just before being sworn in as a Birmingham councillor.“He tells them they are 'stunning' or 'yummy' or have 'great pins' while in one, he says he hopes a pictured young female 'best be taking it up the *******'.” ↗ControversyMisogynySocial media conduct May 2025
Birmingham Reform councillor Darren Colling was exposed for posting 'creepy' and sexualised comments on social media posts by young women, including one dressed in school uniform, and hurriedly deleted them just before being sworn in as a councillor.“Mr Colling, newly elected to Birmingham City Council, rapidly deleted the posts from the Threads social media channel just before he was sworn in as a city councillor yesterday (Monday, May 11).” ↗Dave Knight (Doncaster)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×1 conflict of interest ×1
ControversyBusiness misconductMisconduct
Doncaster councillor Dave Knight was removed from committee positions after co-founding a company, Fly Doncaster (Auxiliary Services), with a name very similar to the council-owned airport management firm, in what was seen as an attempt to position himself to capture contracts tied to the £160m reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.“A Reform UK councillor has been removed from committee positions after he set up a company with a name very similar to that formed by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council to run the reopened Doncaster Sheffield Airport.” ↗COI: business
Knight co-founded Fly Doncaster (Auxiliary Services) Ltd — a company with a near-identical name to the council-owned Fly Doncaster airport management company — while serving as a councillor with oversight responsibilities, creating a potential conflict regarding council contracts at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.“Cllr David Knight formed Fly Doncaster (Auxiliary Services), with fellow Reform UK councillor Rachel Reed.” ↗David Laing (Sunderland)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×1 selection failure ×1
ControversyExtreme viewsDishonestyParty misconduct 2026-05
David Laing, elected as a Reform councillor in Sunderland, previously stood twice as a British National Party candidate in Washington (2006 and 2007) and failed to disclose this during Reform's vetting, claiming he 'couldn't remember' having done so.“he 'could not remember' if he stood twice for the British National Party in nearby Washington, in 2006 and 2007. Questioned if he made clear during Reform party vetting that he had stood for the BNP, the former sales and management worker replied: "To be honest, I couldn't remember that I had."” ↗Selection failure 2026
rejected/not selected by Reform UK — Sunderland City Council candidate“Questioned if he made clear during Reform party vetting that he had stood for the BNP, the former sales and management worker replied: "To be honest, I couldn't remember that I had."” ↗David McLennan (West Lothian)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyIslamophobiaExtreme viewsSocial media conduct 2024
David McLennan, a West Lothian Reform councillor, posted social media content promoting the 'chemtrails' conspiracy theory claiming Bill Gates and Davos are trying to cull the global population, alongside Islamophobic posts warning that Muslims are a 'threat' who will 'take over' the UK.“McLennan responded: "I'm in Scotland and you can SE [sic] the vapour trails across the blue canvas slowly, surely, definitely turn into clouds to hide the sun. Gates and Davos are trying to cull the global population."” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views June 2024
David McLennan, a West Lothian Reform councillor, posted Islamophobic content on X warning Muslims would 'take over' the UK by 2050 and describing Islam as a 'threat', alongside endorsing 'chemtrails' conspiracy theories about Bill Gates culling the global population.“Around the same time, he wrote: "Wake up guys, they're here to take over. By 2050, this could be a Muslim country.."” ↗Doug Bainbridge (Hertfordshire)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) 2025
Council officers reviewing whether to launch investigation; Green group requested urgent standards committee investigation“the Green group has requested that the Herts County Council standards committee investigates this question as a matter of urgency” ↗unverified COI: family political
Cllr Janet Bainbridge allocated £500 of her members' locality budget to Pathfinders Chapter, a CIC of which Doug Bainbridge is a director and co-founder, raising concerns about a councillor paying her husband's organisation with public funds.“Cllr Janet Bainbridge - who represents Stevenage's Broadwater ward on Hertfordshire County Council - made a donation of £500 to Pathfinders Chapter. Pathfinders Chapter is described as a mental health trauma community group...director Doug Bainbridge, also a county councillor, could legitimately be awarded payments by the organisation.” ↗Duane Farr (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: council standards (concluded) 2025-11-18
Upheld: found to have failed to treat others with respect, brought council into disrepute, attempted to compromise officers' impartiality, and intimidated those connected to the investigation; instructed to issue written apology and post retraction on Facebook; failed to comply with sanctions“the council found that Farr had failed to treat others with respect, brought the council into disrepute, attempted to compromise officers' impartiality, and intimidated those connected to the investigation.” ↗ControversyMisconductBullyingHarassment 2025-11-18
Duane Farr had multiple Code of Conduct complaints upheld against him for disrespect, intimidating those connected to a standards investigation, attempting to compromise officers' impartiality, and bringing BCP Council into disrepute, and then defied the resulting sanctions requiring an apology and retraction.“Farr was notified on 18 November 2025 and given until 2 December 2025 to comply, yet, like Adams, he has ignored the sanctions.” ↗Fraser McFarland (Bassetlaw)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) 2024-12
Report finds two breaches of code of conduct; standards sub-committee to decide sanctions at meeting on 23 October“The report finds that Councillor Fraser McFarland, previously a Conservative councillor who now leads the Reform group on Bassetlaw District Council, breached the authority's code of conduct on two counts.” ↗ControversyMisconductSocial media conductExtreme views 2024-11-26
Fraser McFarland, leader of the Reform group on Bassetlaw District Council, was found by an independent investigation to have breached the council's code of conduct by making 'patently untrue' statements in a GB News interview about asylum seekers being housed in Worksop, spreading misinformation that heightened the risk of community unrest.“spreading misinformation which he knew to be untrue in order to promote a political agenda, particularly where those comments could lead to unrest within the local community or an increased risk to staff” ↗Garry Sturley (Kent)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyExtreme viewsRacismSocial media conduct
Garry Sturley, a Reform UK Kent councillor, was photographed smiling and posing alongside a man draped in a neo-Nazi British Movement flag at a Maidstone 'stop the boats' protest, and left the images live on his social media after the symbolism was flagged.“councillors Oliver Bradshaw, Dean Burns, Amelia Randall, Garry Sturley and Pamela Williams. Photographs and TikTok videos from the day show the five councillors posing with protestors, including a heavily tattooed man wrapped in a British Movement flag.” ↗ControversyExtreme viewsSocial media conductRacism
Kent Reform councillor Garry Sturley was photographed smiling and giving thumbs-up gestures alongside a man draped in a neo-Nazi British Movement flag at a Maidstone 'stop the boats' protest, then shared the images on his social media and left them live after the neo-Nazi symbolism was pointed out to him.“Several of the councillors later shared the photographs on their own social media accounts. At the time of publication, those posts remain live even after the presence of the neo-Nazi symbol was highlighted to them.” ↗Gavin Beales (North Northamptonshire)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyRacismExtreme views 2025
Gavin Beales was identified in a leaked user database of WhiteDate, a white supremacist dating site, via a profile under the username 'Gavernor' matching his Instagram account.“A user called Gavin Beales also appeared in the database. An email associated with the profile, set up in 2019, shares a name with a Reform councillor elected in November and also appears to be from the same part of Northamptonshire.” ↗ControversyRacismExtreme views 2025
Gavin Beales was named as a user of the white supremacist dating site WhiteDate, prompting three local MPs to call on the council leader to suspend and investigate him, though Reform UK declined to take action.“Reform UK has not taken any action locally or nationally on the matter and in response, the area's three MP's Rosie Wrighting (Kettering), Lee Barron (Corby and East Northants) and Gen Kitchen (Wellingborough) published an open letter to council leader Martin Griffiths asking him to act.” ↗Ivan Dabbs (West Northamptonshire)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views 2025-05
Ivan Dabbs faced cross-party calls for disciplinary action after sharing content from far-right group Britain First and posting Islamophobic comments on social media, including 'Well we dog lovers DON'T WANT MUSLIMS HERE LETS CALL FOR S BAN'.“the account in Cllr Dabbs' name said in a reply: "Well we dog lovers DON'T WANT MUSLIMS HERE LETS CALL FOR S BAN"” ↗ControversySocial media conductExtreme views 2025-05
Ivan Dabbs was criticised by Labour MP Mike Reader for 'disrespectful' posts on X about King Charles III and the monarchy, with the tweet being reposted by far-right group Britain First.“Newly elected Ivan Dabbs was criticised by an MP for "disrespectful" comments online about King Charles III” ↗James Lee (Broadland)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) May 2025
Council said Lee would receive training to ensure he abides by code of conduct“Officials at the authority said they were aware of concerns about the posts and that Lee would receive training to ensure that from now on he would abide by its code of conduct.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaRacismSocial media conduct May 2025
James Lee, newly elected Reform councillor for Acle on Broadland Council, faced backlash after social media posts emerged in which he endorsed banning Islam, deporting Muslims, and described non-white British politicians as 'the enemy in waiting'.“James 'Jimmi' Lee, who was elected to represent Acle for Reform at a Broadland Council byelection last Thursday (15), is at the centre of a row over the messages on his X account.” ↗James Petter (West Northamptonshire)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
unverified Controversy September 2025
During an online council treasury management training briefing, Petter allegedly left his camera on while getting into a bath, exposing himself inadvertently. The incident was raised publicly by Independent councillor Ian McCord at a full council meeting.“An opposition councillor said Reform UK's James Petter, the deputy leader at West Northamptonshire Council, left his camera on while he was undressed.” ↗unverified Controversy September 2025
West Northamptonshire Council deleted the recording of the treasury management training session in which Petter's bath incident occurred, prompting accusations of a cover-up. A Lib Dem councillor asked 'Why are we covering up this sort of thing?'“The authority has revealed that the recording of the training has been deleted due to "sensitive content", and one Liberal Democrat councillor asked: "Why are we covering up this sort of thing?"” ↗Jan Goold (Nottinghamshire)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyMisconduct 2025
Jan Goold, as chair of Nottinghamshire County Council, refused to allow a Local Democracy Reporter to sit on the press bench despite five spare seats being available, telling the journalist there was 'no reason' to be there in what the press characterised as an undemocratic exclusion.“when this was pointed out to the Chairman of the council, Councillor Jan Goold, she said we had 'no reason' to be on the press bench, where we and other journalists always sit” ↗ControversyMisconductParty misconduct September 2024
Jan Goold, as meeting chair, dismissed as 'utter nonsense' opposition councillors' concerns that they were being silenced, and presided as the Reform majority blocked debate on a motion supporting press freedom following the council's ban on Nottinghamshire Live journalists.“the leading Reform group – which has the majority – threw it out” ↗Janet Bainbridge (Hertfordshire)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 conflict of interest ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) 2025
“the Green group has requested that the Herts County Council standards committee investigates this question as a matter of urgency” ↗COI: family political
Janet Bainbridge made a £500 locality budget grant to Pathfinders Chapter, a community interest company of which her husband and fellow councillor Doug Bainbridge is a director; as director he could legitimately receive payments from the organisation, raising concerns about taxpayer money potentially benefiting a fellow councillor/spouse.“Green Party members of Hertfordshire County Council have called for an urgent investigation into the payment by Cllr Janet Bainbridge to Pathfinders Chapter.” ↗Kenneth Bamford (Lincolnshire)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyRacismSocial media conduct 2025
Kenneth Bamford was criticised after historic tweets surfaced in which he replied to a Brexit activist's post mocking the Indian community in Southall by saying watching it 'gave me the s***s', remarks campaigners labelled racist.“Brexit activist James Goddard wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "It's hard to distinguish whether this video was filmed in India or Mini India, otherwise known as Southall." Coun Bamford replied: "Just watching this gave me the s***s."” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conduct 2025
Kenneth Bamford, newly elected Reform UK councillor for Hough, was criticised for participating in what campaigners called a 'racist discussion' on X about the Indian community in Southall, and then deleted his social media accounts when the posts came to light.“He appears to have recently deleted both his personal and campaign accounts on X.” ↗Kenneth Tranter (Hampshire)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) 2025-05
“A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: "We take any complaints against members very seriously and any that we may receive would be dealt with in accordance with the council's arrangements for dealing with complaints against members."” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conduct 2025-05
Kenneth Tranter, a Reform UK Hampshire county councillor, was accused of racism after posting on Facebook complaining about 'non white persons taking over' Aldershot's Municipal Gardens and demanding police action, later apologising for his 'poor use of words'.“he posted on Aldershot Community Hub's Facebook page referring to concerns about "non white persons taking over the Municipal Gardens and the strong pervading smell of cannabis."” ↗Kim Robinson (Leicestershire)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: council standards (concluded)
Required to publicly apologise and attend training on Members' Code of Conduct and Member-Officer protocol“the member conduct panel concluded that he must attend training on the council's behaviour expectations” ↗ControversyMisconductBullying
Leicestershire councillor Kim Robinson was forced to publicly apologise to former monitoring officer Lauren Haslam and undertake conduct training after a Member Conduct Panel upheld a complaint about his behaviour towards her.“News of Cllr Robinson's apology comes as Reform officials in Leicestershire have faced a spike in complaints about their conduct.” ↗Lee Moffitt (Wigan)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×1 conflict of interest ×1
ControversyDishonestyBusiness misconduct 2025
Lee Moffitt was accused of hypocrisy after it emerged that one of his property companies manages three HMOs in Wigan, despite his Reform election pledge to reduce the number of HMOs in the town.“Last week, listings by one of his companies advertising rooms for rent in HMOs appeared online, leading to criticism on social media.” ↗COI: business
Moffitt campaigned to reduce the number of HMOs in Wigan while one of his property management companies manages three HMOs for private landlords, creating an apparent conflict between his policy position and his business activities.“A Reform candidate who has pledged to reduce the 'spiralling' number of houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in his town has been accused of hypocrisy after his property company listed rooms for rent in the type of shared housing that he is campaigning against.” ↗Liam Thomson (Lancashire)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyRacismExtreme views
Lancashire councillor Liam Thomson (Reform UK) was accused by an MP of 'whipping up misinformation' and fuelling racist rhetoric over his comments about asylum seeker housing in Burnley, prompting the council to issue a 'One Burnley' statement warning against intolerance.“An East Lancashire local authority has taken to Facebook to combat 'fear and intolerance' after a property in the borough earmarked for bedsits was put at the centre of a row over asylum seekers.” ↗ControversySocial media conductRacism 2024-08
Liam Thomson was accused by Burnley's Labour MP of 'whipping up misinformation' about a Gannow property allegedly being used for asylum seeker housing, with the row coinciding with a suspected arson attack and prompting Burnley Council to issue a public statement against intolerance.“The incident caused a bitter social media row between the town's Labour MP Oliver Ryan and Reform UK Lancashire County Council for Burnley Central West division Liam Thomson.” ↗Marco Longhi (Dudley)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×1 conflict of interest ×1
ControversyRacismParty misconduct June 2024
Marco Longhi was accused of 'dog-whistle' racial tactics during the 2024 general election after his campaign sent leaflets to British Pakistani and Kashmiri Muslim voters highlighting Labour opponent Sonia Kumar's Hindu surname.“Longhi was accused of "dog-whistle" tactics against his Labour opponent Sonia Kumar. His campaign sent leaflets to British Pakistani and Kashmiri Muslims drawing attention to Kumar's Hindu surname (writing it in capital letters and underlined)” ↗COI: financial
Longhi voted against the Renters' Reform Bill while being a landlord owning ten properties and director of a lettings company“Almost a third of Tory MPs trying to weaken tenant protection bill are landlords” ↗Mark Howard (Gloucestershire)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
unverified Legal: council standards (dismissed) 2025-09-10
Complaint to Gloucestershire County Council monitoring officer was not progressed; Reform UK took no further action. Howard issued a written apology.“The BBC understands that Reform took no further action and that the complaint to Gloucestershire County Council was not progressed.” ↗ControversyRacismIslamophobia 2025-09-10
Mark Howard made remarks during a Gloucestershire County Council debate on asylum seekers that fellow councillors condemned as racist and bordering on hate speech, including claims about Muslim cultural practices and 'deep-seated hatred' among Muslims.“Chairman. I've never heard so much ridiculous bloody racism.” ↗Matthew Moat (Kent)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×1 conflict of interest ×1
ControversyParty misconductMisconduct 2025
Matthew Fraser Moat resigned as Kent County Council's head of the Department of Local Government Efficiency (DOLGE) after telling the Financial Times the Reform-run council had 'not actually made any cuts', remarks he subsequently described as a 'lapse of judgement'.“Cllr Fraser Moat claimed pressures of his role at County Hall and running the family business had led to "a lapse of judgement" which led to his words "twisted to fit into an anti-KCC narrative"” ↗COI: business
Fraser Moat stated he was balancing his council cabinet responsibilities with running the family business, which he cited as contributing to a lapse of judgement in his FT interview.“I have tried to balance my Council responsibilities with the responsibilities of my family business” ↗Michael Hadwen (Suffolk)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversySocial media conductRacismExtreme views 2016
Michael Hadwen, Suffolk County Council's Reform UK leader, faced scrutiny over social media posts in which he said Enoch Powell 'was right' on multiculturalism and named far-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos as his ideal PR manager, and he defended the Powell view when questioned.“In another post, dating back to 2016, Suffolk's new leader said he would have Milo Yiannopoulos as his public relations manager if ever he became MP.” ↗ControversyRacismSocial media conductExtreme views April 2018
Michael Hadwen faced scrutiny over social media posts from his university days in which he said Enoch Powell 'was right' on multiculturalism and named Milo Yiannopoulos as his ideal PR manager, and he reaffirmed that Powell was right about demographic change causing divisiveness.“In one post, from April 2018, he said Enoch Powell 'was right' and 'just before the times' in his views on multiculturalism.” ↗Michael Squires (Leicestershire)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversySocial media conductExtreme views 2025
Leicestershire county councillor Michael Squires (Reform UK) publicly expressed support for US ICE agents on X with an 'I stand with ICE' image and the comment '100% chance of ICE forecast!' hours after ICE agents shot dead a protester in Minneapolis, then appeared to delete the post.“"100% chance of ICE forecast!" wrote Leicestershire county councillor Michael J. Squires, as he allegedly reposted the image on the social media platform – he seemed to have later deleted the post” ↗ControversySocial media conductMisconduct 2025-07-15
Michael Squires drew public backlash for telling a Leicestershire County Council meeting that SEND schools can be 'detrimental' to children's independence and that SEND children may be 'over-supported', then dismissing a parent's concerns on Facebook as 'plain nonsense'.“Cllr Squires described Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) schools being 'detrimental' to the 'independence and social skills of SEND children'.” ↗Mick Barton (Mansfield)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyMisconduct 2025
Mick Barton, as Reform UK leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, banned Nottingham Post/Nottinghamshire Live and BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service journalists from speaking to him or his councillors over a story he disliked, a move condemned across parties as an attack on press freedom.“Mick Barton has banned the Nottingham Post and its online arm Nottinghamshire Live over what the BBC understands was a disagreement about a story it ran on local government reorganisation” ↗ControversyMisconduct 2025
Mick Barton, as Reform UK leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, banned the Nottingham Post and Nottinghamshire Live (including BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporting Service journalists) from interviews and press releases over a story he disliked, drawing cross-party condemnation as an attack on press freedom.“The piece about ongoing discussions over the reorganisation of local government included a claim that two Reform UK councillors said at a public surgery they could be suspended from their county council group if they did not vote for Barton's preferred model” ↗Oliver Freeston (North East Lincolnshire)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: council standards (concluded)
Reprimanded by council watchdog“Reform UK councillor Oliver Freeston has been reprimanded by a council watchdog after suggesting that mental health struggles are "the 21st-century version of the bad back".” ↗ControversyMisconductSocial media conduct
Oliver Freeston was reprimanded by a council standards watchdog after publicly suggesting that mental health struggles are 'the 21st-century version of the bad back'.“Reform UK councillor Oliver Freeston has been reprimanded by a council watchdog after suggesting that mental health struggles are "the 21st-century version of the bad back".” ↗Pamela Williams (Kent)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyExtreme viewsRacism
Pamela Williams, a Reform councillor in Kent, was photographed smiling and giving thumbs-up gestures alongside Mike Gott — a former National Front activist described as a neo-Nazi by Hope Not Hate — at a 'stop the boats' protest in Maidstone.“In some shots, Reform's councillors are smiling and giving double thumbs-up gestures alongside Gott – also known as Carl England – a man Hope Not Hate has dubbed a neo-Nazi.” ↗ControversyRacismExtreme views 2025-08-21
Pamela Williams, a Reform UK councillor in Kent, was photographed smiling and giving thumbs-up gestures alongside former National Front activist Mike Gott, who was draped in a neo-Nazi British Movement flag, at a 'stop the boats' protest in Maidstone.“The councillors were Oliver Bradshaw, Dean Burns, Amelia Randall, Garry Sturley and Pamela Williams. They posed with protesters including a heavily-tattooed man wrapped in a British Movement flag, who Byline Times can identify as former National Front activist, Mike Gott.” ↗Paul Donaghy (Sunderland)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: regulatory (concluded) January 2026
Ten companies struck off by Companies House for failing to file accounts or other legally-required documents“Ten of the eleven companies registered in his name have been subject to 'compulsory strike off' – having been dissolved by the state for failing to file accounts or other crucial documents. It means he has repeatedly breached the Companies Act.” ↗ControversyBusiness misconductFinancial impropriety January 2026
Paul Donaghy had ten of his eleven registered companies compulsorily struck off for failing to file legally-required documents, and his only remaining active firm is also late filing returns, despite him publicly boasting expertise in business 'compliance'.“The only company which appears to currently be active – a consulting firm in his name – is now also late filing its returns.” ↗Paul Godfrey (Brentwood)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyExtreme viewsSocial media conductAntisemitism
Paul Godfrey, Reform UK candidate for Brentwood, shared posts on X promoting conspiracy theories including the '5 Stages of Pilling' and the antisemitic-tinged 'New World Order' theory about elite collusion for totalitarian world government.“Posts shared by Godfrey on X include one which referred to the "5 Stages of Pilling". According to this post, while at the first stage people believe "Covid is real… The West is exceptional. Russian man bad," by the final stage they reach: "Sovereignty, Self reliance… Purpose. Being human. Love. Wellbeing. WINNING!" Another graphic promoted by Godfrey referred to the "New World Order" – a conspiracy theory which posits that elites are secretly colluding to produce a totalitarian world government.” ↗ControversyExtreme viewsAntisemitismSocial media conduct
Paul Godfrey, a Reform councillor elected to Brentwood and Essex councils, is alleged to have promoted conspiracy theories including the '5 Stages of Pilling' and the antisemitic-tinged 'New World Order' theory claiming elites are colluding to create a totalitarian world government.“Godfrey is alleged to have promoted the conspiracy theory known as the "5 Stages of Pilling" and the antisemitic-tinged "New World Order" theory positing that elites are colluding to create a totalitarian world government (via HOPE not hate).” ↗Peter Osborne (Kent)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: police complaint (dismissed) 2025
Kent Police received a complaint about a 'violent' message from an elected member but decided not to proceed with an investigation“KentOnline understands Kent Police was contacted over a separate "violent" message from an elected member but decided not to proceed with an investigation.” ↗ControversyViolenceSocial media conduct 2025
Peter Osborne, Reform UK cabinet member at Kent County Council, faced calls to resign after writing in a WhatsApp group that he hoped a suspected leaker was 'a bloke so I can punch him right in the jaw'.“He wrote: "I'm hoping this mole is a bloke so I can punch him right in the jaw."” ↗Rajbir Singh (Birmingham)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×1 conflict of interest ×1
ControversyParty misconductBullying 2025
Rajbir Singh, Birmingham Reform organiser, was accused by party insiders of 'empire building' and discarding hard-working community champions in favour of allies who would back him as a future council leader, amid wider claims of bullying and unfair candidate de-selections.“Critics say the trio are discarding hard working community champions in Birmingham in favour of people who back Singh as a potential future council leader.” ↗COI: family political
Rajbir Singh is a Reform UK organiser and candidate while his wife Harnoor Bhullar remains a Sandwell Labour councillor, creating a structural political conflict between spouses in rival parties.“His wife Harnoor Bhullar is still a Sandwell Labour councillor.” ↗Robert Barnes (Oldham)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: council standards (concluded) 2022
Councillor apologised following a ruling by the standards sub-committee“The local authority has confirmed the apology was made following complaints about his behaviour, which led to a ruling being made by the standards sub-committee.” ↗ControversyMisconductBullying 2022
Robert Barnes, Conservative councillor for Chadderton South, was subject to a standards sub-committee ruling and issued a public apology after disrespectful conduct toward the Mayor and opposition councillors at heated meetings following a child sexual exploitation review, including refusing to sit down when instructed.“Councillor Robert Barnes, who represents the Conservative party in Chadderton South, addressed the chamber at Wednesday night's full council meeting.” ↗Sean Matthews (Lincolnshire)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: other (pending) 2025
Judicial review process initiated against government decision to grant planning permission for Springwell Solar“we recently started the process of taking legal action against the government decision to grant permission for Springwell Solar” ↗ControversySocial media conductAntisemitismExtreme views
Sean Matthews faced national criticism after now-deleted social media posts surfaced in which he appeared to claim circumcision leads to being transgender, angering Jewish groups.“controversial now-deleted social media posts have been unearthed since his election. He has come under fire in the national press for appearing to claim circumcision leads to being transgender, which angered Jewish groups.” ↗Simon Evans (Lancashire)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversySocial media conductMisogynyViolence
Simon Evans, Reform UK deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, shared a Facebook post stating that Labour MP Natalie Fleet 'should be shot' alongside a fabricated quote attributed to her, prompting accusations of inciting violence before he deleted the post and apologised.“A Reform UK councillor shared a Facebook post which said a female Labour MP "should be shot". Simon Evans, the deputy leader of Lancashire County Council and representative for Skelmersdale Central, reposted a picture of Natalie Fleet with the fake quote: "I voted against the grooming gang enquiry."” ↗ControversySocial media conductMisogynyViolence
Simon Evans, Reform UK deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, shared a Facebook post stating that Labour MP Natalie Fleet 'should be shot', prompting accusations of inciting violence against a female MP who is a survivor of grooming and rape.“In a failed fundraiser page in a bid to raise funds to sue the council, he later claimed he had been forced to resign because he was a Reform UK councillor whose "views and beliefs were simply not allowed".” ↗Steve Biggs (Durham)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×2
ControversyIslamophobiaExtreme viewsSocial media conduct
Steve Biggs, a Reform UK candidate in Pelton, County Durham, repeatedly posted links to the anti-Islam party Britain First on Facebook and wrote that 'Islam has no place on this earth. One big nuke bomb needed', also expressing admiration for Putin and Assad.“Biggs has also repeatedly posted links to Britain First, the anti-Islam political party, on his Facebook account.” ↗ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views August 2015
Steve Biggs, Reform UK candidate for Pelton in County Durham, posted on Facebook in August 2015 that 'Islam has no place on this earth. One big nuke bomb needed', and repeatedly reposted links from the anti-Islam group Britain First.“In August 2015, he posted on his Facebook page that "Islam has no place on this earth. One big nuke bomb needed". The BBC confirmed that post was still visible last week, but by this week it appeared to have been deleted.” ↗Terry Mole (Kent)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×1 controversy ×1
Legal: council standards (concluded) 2025-11
Register of interests updated to include company name; no sanction reported“she filed a formal complaint to the council” ↗ControversyDishonestyMisconduct 2025-11
Terry Mole failed to properly declare his ownership of DAT Transport Services Ltd on his register of interests as required by the Localism Act, listing only a vague and inaccurate description, and refused to disclose the company's name to a constituent who then filed a formal complaint.“Terry Mole (Reform UK, Ramsgate Division) was accused by a constituent of flouting the Localism Act, as he did not disclose his ownership of a delivery firm.” ↗Terry Smith (East Hertfordshire)2 noteworthy findings
controversy ×1 selection failure ×1
ControversySocial media conductExtreme viewsRacism
Cllr Terry Smith faced code of conduct complaints after sharing a Tommy Robinson YouTube video about anti-migrant protests in Epping on his Facebook page with the comment 'Undermining UK values and way of life, I am with Essex.'“Cllr Terry Smith used his Facebook page to highlight an Urban Scoop video about anti-migrant protests outside accommodation for asylum seekers in Epping. He commented: "Undermining UK values and way of life, I am with Essex."” ↗Selection failure 2024
rejected/not selected by Reform UK — East Herts District Council / Hertfordshire County Council candidate“It seems once again Reform UK's candidate vetting process has failed.” ↗Tony Stevens (Devon)2 noteworthy findings
legal issue ×2
Legal: police complaint (dismissed) 2025
Police dropped investigation; no further action taken after High Court found no bad faith“A police investigation into allegations against Reform councillors and their election agent of overspending on election expenses has been dropped.” ↗Legal: civil suit (concluded) 2025
High Court found no breach of rules or legislation in Tony Stevens' case; relief not necessary to grant as there was no breach“it was not necessary to grant relief to Cllr Neil Stevens' brother, Councillor Tony Stevens (Reform UK, Exwick and St Thomas), because "in my judgment, there was no breach of the rules or legislation in his case".” ↗Adam Tilbury (Leicestershire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyExtreme views 2025
Adam Tilbury, Leicestershire's lead member for environment and flooding, drew criticism for promoting climate-denial talking points—claiming small CO2 increases have a 'positive impact' and citing the Roman Empire to argue CO2 has little sway on climate—while justifying diverting £2m from carbon reduction to flood defence.“Claims like 'Leicestershire's emissions don't matter' belong in the last century.
"Net zero is not just a buzz word and is not about virtue signalling, it's about taking responsibility for our future. In 2025, it is staggering that elected councillors are still recycling climate denial talking points to justify scrapping net zero targets."” ↗Alan Feeney (Birmingham)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy 2025-04-15
At an April 2025 planning committee meeting, Feeney had called in applications he later withdrew, but officers failed to remove them from the agenda; committee members criticised him for not attending and for wasting committee time“I withdrew my application but officer Kim Allen struggled to get a hold of me since. That's how we have ended up where we are.” ↗Alan Feeney (Solihull)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct April 2025
Solihull councillor Alan Feeney was publicly criticised by the planning committee chairman and fellow councillors for repeatedly wasting planners' time by calling in planning applications and then withdrawing objections late or failing to communicate with officers.“A councillor has come under fire for wasting Solihull Council planners time again.
But Councillor Alan Feeney has hit back saying representing residents is never a waste of time.” ↗Alan Graves (Derbyshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyExtreme viewsSocial media conduct 2025-08-10
Alan Graves, leader of Derbyshire County Council, drew condemnation from SEND campaigners for publicly claiming SEND children are 'overdiagnosed' and stating 'most people are just about on the spectrum but they're coping'.“Alan Graves — "Most people are just about on the spectrum but they're coping." (10 Aug 2025)” ↗Alex Anderson (Thurrock)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy 14 January 2026
Anderson proposed a motion at an extraordinary council meeting opposing election postponement; the vote was recorded as 19-20 against, but opposition councillors including Anderson alleged the correct count was 20-20, which would have required the mayor's casting vote. No explanation was given and the mayor closed the meeting immediately.“A motion from Reform Group leader, Alex Anderson, opposing the postponement was recorded as failing by 20 votes to 19. However, several opposition councillors insist the correct count was 20–20” ↗Alex McGonigle (Lincolnshire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: employment
McGonigle was in the process of joining Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue as a firefighter but had to end this due to a conflict of interest arising from being elected to the council and holding the fire and rescue executive portfolio.“I was in the process of moving to Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, but unfortunately that has had to come to an end due to the conflict of interest of being elected and sitting on the council” ↗Alex Millward (Derbyshire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: employment
Alex Millward is a serving senior civil servant (Director-level) in DESNZ working on government energy and infrastructure policy, while simultaneously serving as a Reform UK county councillor — a party whose stated positions frequently oppose government energy policy.“I'm celebrating five years of being in the civil service, working in #UNSDG7 #DESNZ #CCUS” ↗Alexander Jones (Doncaster)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyRacismSocial media conduct 2025-11
Alexander Jones, Reform councillor for Edenthorpe and Kirk Sandall in Doncaster, made Facebook posts after the Doncaster-to-London train stabbings attributing the attack to people 'not English, but black and of Caribbean descent' and claiming Englishness requires Anglo-Saxon lineage, implying people of colour born in Britain cannot be English.“Reform councillor Alexander Jones explicitly attributed the crime to "individuals" who were "not English" and instead "Black and of Caribbean descent" – despite the alleged killer being British.” ↗Andrew Hodson (Wirral)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy January 2025
Hodson had publicly promised on Facebook not to join Reform UK after leaving the Conservative group, but then joined Reform UK approximately 8 months later, drawing accusations of deception and cynicism from voters and opposition politicians.“I can assure you I and my fellow councillors will not be joining Reform... However, this position changed following the announcement on January 14 that all three would be joining Reform” ↗Andrew Mynors (Staffordshire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: employment
Green Party councillor Jack Rose referred Mynors' motion to rescind the climate emergency to the monitoring officer, citing his employment at BDM Geolog UK Ltd (oil, gas and geothermal operations) and his committee role at London Petrophysics Society (whose gold sponsor is BP), arguing a conflict of interest with proposing the climate emergency rescission. Council officers concluded he had properly declared his interests and debate continued.“highlighting Councillor Mynors' employment at BDM Geolog UK Ltd, which "specialises in oil, gas and geothermal operations". Councillor Rose added: "He is also on the committee of London Petrophysics Society, which advertise that BP is their gold sponsor.” ↗Anita Stanley (Wolverhampton)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconductBullying 2025-06-25
Wolverhampton Reform UK councillor Anita Stanley faced cross-party condemnation after objecting at a full council meeting to a dispensation allowing Labour colleague Carol Hyatt to miss in-person meetings while undergoing cancer treatment, calling it 'unfair on taxpayers' — comments the council leader branded a 'disgrace'.“Councillor Anita Stanley faced fierce backlash at a full council meeting on June 25 after she said granting a dispensation order for a colleague battling cancer was 'unfair on taxpayers'.” ↗Anne-Marie Sonko (Warwickshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyRacism 2026-03-19
Cllr Anne-Marie Sonko was criticised by Labour's group leader for telling the council chamber she was 'grateful' a Green Party motion was 'in English and not Urdu', a remark condemned as demeaning to her cabinet position.“I'm not sure what to make of this movement, there are hardly any words on it but I suppose I am just grateful that you put it in English and not Urdu.” ↗Annie O'Neill (Epping Forest)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
Legal: civil suit (pending)
“support Social Media Victims Law Center, Laura Marquez-Garrett, who are also representing me in my own case against TikTok in Delaware.” ↗Annie O’Neill (Essex)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy 2026-05-09
Annie May O'Neill posted her election victory tweet using a photo of the Houses of Parliament, suggesting confusion between her county council role and Westminster. The tweet was widely mocked on social media.“there was something about the way she chose to do it that really caught people's attention” ↗Anthony Johnson (St. Helens)1 noteworthy finding
selection failure ×1
Selection failure circa 2019
deselected by Labour — Labour candidate for Bold ward“Cllr Johnson was subsequently deselected by the party.” ↗Anthony Owen (Hertfordshire)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
unverified Legal: police complaint (dismissed) 2025
No evidence of a crime under the Representation of the People Act established; no investigation launched“Officers have reviewed information relating to an allegation of an offence under the Representation of the People Act. Following specialist legal advice, no evidence of a crime under the Act has been established at this time, nor any viable lines of further enquiry. As a result, no investigation has been launched at this stage.” ↗Arty Hume (Northumberland)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyExtreme viewsSocial media conductMisogyny 2025-04
Arty Hume, a Reform UK candidate, shared Facebook posts praising Tommy Robinson as a 'latter Day Enoch Powell' and endorsing Andrew Tate's views on the education system.“Arthur Hume, who is standing for election to the county council in the Amble ward and currently sits on the town council, posted on Facebook describing Robinson as a "latter Day Enoch Powell" who would "ultimately be proven correct by events"” ↗Asa Downing (Suffolk)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductExtreme views 2026-04-24
Asa Downing, Reform UK candidate for Suffolk's Gipping Valley ward, was named in a Labour Party dossier for posting Covid-19 conspiracy theories on social media.“ASA DOWNING
SUFFOLK, GIPPING
VALLEY
Posted Covid-19 conspiracy theories” ↗Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls (Wiltshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyExtreme viewsRacism Summer 2025
Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls, a Reform UK councillor, pressed questions at a Wiltshire Council cabinet meeting about refugees being housed in the county in a manner the council leader condemned as 'insidious' and 'inappropriate', amid warnings of harassment against local Afghan communities.“Undeterred, Cllr Urquhart-Nicholls pressed on with her questions, which Cllr Thorn called "insidious" and "inappropriate".” ↗Bert Bingham (Nottinghamshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyExtreme viewsSocial media conduct 2025
Bert Bingham was appointed Nottinghamshire County Council's cabinet member for transport and environment despite having publicly called climate change a 'hoax' and vowed to end 'the net zero crime' on social media, drawing criticism from the Green Party.“newly-elected councillor for Worksop West, Bert Bingham, was appointed as cabinet member for transport and the environment, despite public comments made on the campaign trail referring to climate change as a "hoax"” ↗Bev Watkins (Wakefield)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductMisconduct
Bev Watkins, a Reform UK candidate in Wakefield, shared hoax content falsely warning that 'new' paracetamol contains the Machupo virus.“Bev Watkins, standing in Wakefield for Reform, has previously shared hoax content which warned against taking a "new" paracetamol which "contains "Machupo" virus.” ↗Bob Egginton (Staffordshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct late 2025
Bob Egginton was branded 'disgraceful' by Biddulph Town councillors for repeatedly failing to attend town council meetings or send apologies, and for not responding to councillors' emails about local issues.“Biddulph Town councillors spoke out at a recent meeting after their county representatives - Mike Broom and Bob Egginton - failed to show up or give apologies for absence.” ↗Bob Jones (Sandwell)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyIslamophobiaExtreme viewsSocial media conduct
Bob Jones, Reform's candidate for Sandwell's Charlemont and Grove Vale ward, was reported as a member of an anti-NATO Facebook group that claims the UK and US 'opened the gates' for 'radical Islam'.“Bob Jones, Charlemont and Grove Vale ward, Sandwell
Reform's candidate for Sandwell, Bob Jones, is part of an anti-Nato Facebook group which claims the UK and the US opened the gates for "radical Islam".” ↗Brian Quirey (Durham)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconductParty misconduct 2025
Brian Quirey, alongside two fellow Reform councillors, refused to attend Pelton parish council meetings until receiving a written apology over a Labour leaflet about road safety decisions.“the Reform councillors have published a letter calling me a liar and claiming that they will not engage with the three parish councils unless I apologise” ↗Chris Palmer (Swale)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconductDishonesty 2025
Chris Palmer is among Reform UK councillors accused of misusing the Localism Act section 32 exemption to withhold his home address from Kent County Council's register of interests while leaving the same address publicly accessible through other official records, undermining transparency obligations.“Chris Palmer, believed to reside at the same address, has previously declared it in electoral nomination papers and archived documentation still visible online as well.” ↗Christopher Hudson (Suffolk)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct
Christopher Hudson, Reform leader on Suffolk County Council, attended only 10% of his parish council meetings since 2021, including none of 57 meetings in 2024 and just 1 of 58 in 2025.“Christopher Hudson has only attended 10% of his parish council meetings since 2021.” ↗Craig Humphreyson (Staffordshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct
Craig Humphreyson, vice-chair of Staffordshire County Council's pensions committee, missed three of seven meetings since the May 2025 elections, including audit and standards committee meetings.“Craig Humphreyson (Staffordshire County Council) – vice-chair of pensions committee who has missed three of seven meetings, including audit and standards committee meetings” ↗Craig Morris (West Northamptonshire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: other
Craig Morris declared an interest in having previously worked with chief constable Ivan Balhatchet at Northamptonshire Police.“declared an interest in having worked with Ivan Balhatchet many years ago” ↗Damian Curzon (Halton)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
unverified COI: business
Curzon founded/directed companies with names mirroring 'Merseyflow' (the enforcement body he had publicly campaigned against via Scrap Mersey Tolls), including Merseyfloworg Limited, Merseyflownet Ltd and Merseyflow Halton Limited, all registered in May 2019 shortly after his TPT victory.“MERSEYFLOWORG LIMITED (12019960)
MERSEYFLOWNET LTD (12019994)
MERSEYFLOW HALTON LIMITED (12016560)” ↗Dan Harrison (Leicestershire)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
Legal: police complaint (concluded) 2024
No further action taken against Conservative councillor Craig Smith“Dan Harrison reported Craig Smith to Leicestershire Police, alleging the Tory had threatened to "knock my block off" during a private meeting.” ↗Dan Price (Derbyshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct 2025-06-19
Dan Price personally took a lawnmower to a Cotmanhay roundabout that Erewash Borough Council had deliberately left uncut for biodiversity, destroying the plantlife and prompting a 'no mow' warning and calls for prosecution.“A Reform councillor in Derbyshire has mowed down plantlife on a roundabout that had deliberately been left to grow by the council to promote biodiversity.” ↗Dan Price (Erewash)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct 2025-06
Dan Price took his own lawnmower onto the Cotmanhay roundabout near Ilkeston and cut down plants that the borough council had deliberately left to grow for biodiversity, prompting a 'no mow' warning and public calls for prosecution.“double-jobbing Derbyshire County Council and Erewash Borough Council councillor Dan Price took his own lawn-mower onto the Cotmanhay roundabout last week to cut down all the plants” ↗David Bellamy (South Kesteven)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconductParty misconduct 2024-2025
David Bellamy lost his voting rights at South Kesteven District Council scrutiny committees after refusing to complete mandatory equality (DEI) and Prevent training required by the council's constitution.“Coun Bellamy has not completed DEI or Prevent. As a result, all three are unable to vote at committee meetings.” ↗David McCullough (Manchester)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductExtreme views
David McCullough, Reform UK candidate for Manchester City Council (Sharston), shared Islamophobic content on social media and boasted about attending a Tommy Robinson rally.“Shared Islamophobic content and boasted about watching a Tommy Robinson rally” ↗David Shaw (Lancashire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: business
Councillor is 50% shareholder in Strawberry Gardens Fleetwood Ltd (other 50% owned by his wife) and 50% shareholder in Strawberry Bistro Ltd (other 50% owned by his wife), and leases land in the county council's area through Strawberry Gardens Fleetwood Ltd.“50% Shareholder in Strawberry Gardens Fleetwood Ltd other 50% owned by my wife 50% Shareholder in Strawberry Bistro Ltd other 50% owned by my wife - currently not trading” ↗Dominic Lonchay (Aberdeenshire)1 noteworthy finding
selection failure ×1
Selection failure
rejected by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party — Holyrood candidate“Dominic Lonchay, who made the switch last month after being rejected as a candidate for Holyrood” ↗Doug Bainbridge (Stevenage)1 noteworthy finding
selection failure ×1
Selection failure 2017
deselected by Labour — Borough Councillor candidate for Longmeadow ward“We presume this is due to the fact he was not selected to stand again by local members in his own area.” ↗Dylan Eaton (Halton)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyDishonestyExtreme views 2026-04-30
Dylan Eaton, a Reform UK candidate in Halton, publicly claimed asylum seekers are prioritised on council housing lists — a claim contradicted by Halton Borough Council and unsupported by official data.“But official data does not support that claim. Halton Borough Council states that asylum seekers cannot apply for social housing and are not placed on council housing waiting lists.” ↗Emily Strudwick (Portsmouth)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyBullyingHarassmentParty misconduct
Portsmouth councillor Emily Strudwick was linked to an intimidation campaign against Conservative councillor Benedict Swann, with leaflets designed by her partner George Madgwick — described as 'libellous, defamatory, intimidatory literature' — contributing to Swann's resignation as licensing committee chair.“The leaflets in question, designed to look like a newspaper were designed by George Madgwick, partner of former chair Cllr Emily Strudwick and feature the headline "rarely seen cllr stabs colleague in the back".” ↗Fred Pidcock (King's Lynn and West Norfolk)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct 2026
Fred Pidcock faced public criticism for failing to engage with his role as a Hunstanton borough councillor, remaining silent and declining twice to speak at his first town council meeting after months of unexplained absence.“Cllr Pidcock was asked twice by members of the town council, during what is believed to be his first appearance in a meeting, if he wanted to say anything. However, Cllr Pidcock, a member of the Reform party, simply shook his head.” ↗Gavin Ellis (Fife)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyParty misconduct
Gavin Ellis defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK mid-term without triggering a by-election, prompting fellow Dunfermline North councillors to accuse him of deceiving voters who had elected him as a Conservative.“The defection of a Dunfermline Councillor to Nigel Farage's Reform UK has sparked calls for a by-election.” ↗Ged Mirfin (Lancashire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconductBullying
Lancashire councillor Ged Mirfin dismissed a public question about fairer pay as 'woke, socialist nonsense' and spoke for five-and-a-half minutes at a full council meeting, leaving no time for remaining public questions to be answered.“A question about fairer pay was dismissed by Cllr Ged Mirfin, one of the cabinet's various recent Tories, as "woke, socialist nonsense".” ↗George Finch (Warwickshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconductHomophobia March 2025
George Finch, Reform UK leader of Warwickshire County Council, survived a no-confidence vote in March prompted by his dispute with police over their handling of the rape of a 12-year-old girl and a clash with the council's chief executive over Pride flags.“Finch survived when 26 councillors voted for the motion and 27 against, while two councillors abstained from voting.” ↗Graham Davies (Wirral)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy January 2026
Davies and colleagues defected to Reform UK after previously ruling out such a move; Andrew Hodson had publicly stated on Facebook 'I can assure you I and my fellow councillors will not be joining Reform', which angered local voters“At the time, Cllr Hodson told people in a Facebook post: "I can assure you I and my fellow councillors will not be joining Reform."” ↗Graham Jeal (South Kesteven)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconductParty misconduct 2024
Graham Jeal lost his right to vote at South Kesteven scrutiny committees after refusing to complete mandatory equality, Prevent and safeguarding training, which he dismissed as 'ideological instruction', drawing accusations from the council leader of presenting 'indolence and ignorance as signals of virtue'.“Coun Jeal has not completed DEI, Prevent or Safeguarding, and Coun Bellamy has not completed DEI or Prevent. As a result, all three are unable to vote at committee meetings.” ↗Graham McAndrew (East Hertfordshire)1 noteworthy finding
selection failure ×1
Selection failure 2025
rejected by Conservative — Conservative candidate for Hertfordshire County Council elections (May 2025)“I'm sure Reform UK will find him as useful as we have in recent years – which is why he was not selected as a Conservative candidate for the forthcoming county council elections.” ↗Hana John (Nottinghamshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy
Cllr Hana John stepped down from cabinet role as member for education and SEND; council leader said she left for personal reasons and that it was mutually agreed, but also stated 'it is my decision'.“Cllr Barton said that Cllr John had left the role for personal reasons, and that she had mutually agreed to step down. But he said: "At the end of the day, it is my decision."” ↗Hayley Coles (Staffordshire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: employment
Hayley Coles's partner works for SCC Highways; she has declared she does not make Highways decisions to avoid conflict.“My partner works for SCC Highways. I don't make Highways decisions, no conflict” ↗Hayley Coles (Tamworth)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: employment
Coles's partner works for SCC Highways; she has declared she does not make Highways decisions to avoid conflict.“My partner works for SCC Highways. I don't make Highways decisions, no conflict” ↗Howard Brown (Durham)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct 2025-06-27
Howard Brown failed to declare his membership of Reform UK on his statutory register of interests as a Durham County Council cabinet member, despite this being a legal requirement.“Adult and Health Services chief Cllr Howard Brown declares he is a paid official for the National Education Union but not a member of Reform.” ↗Howard Rimmer (Doncaster)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyRacismExtreme viewsSocial media conduct 2025-08-21
Howard Rimmer repeatedly shared material from the far-right Traditional Britain Group promoting the 'Great Replacement' conspiracy theory and content claiming former PM Rishi Sunak is 'not fully grounded in our culture'.“Cllr Howard Rimmer (also Doncaster) has repeatedly shared material from the Traditional Britain Group (TBG), another far-right organisation which pushes the 'Great Replacement' conspiracy theory as well as articles like: "The Governing Elite Seek To Replace The British Voting Population" – seemingly referring to white people – and promoted claims that former PM Rishi Sunak is "not fully grounded in our culture"” ↗Ian Cresswell (Worcestershire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyExtreme views 2025-07-10
Ian Cresswell, Worcestershire's Reform cabinet member for environment, refused in a full council meeting to confirm whether climate change is happening and is caused by human activity, prompting accusations of climate denialism and calls to reconsider his suitability for the role.“Reform councillor Ian Cresswell refused to commit to an answer when asked if climate change was happening and whether it was caused by human activity.” ↗Im Stanley (Wolverhampton)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconductBullying
Wolverhampton Reform councillor Anita Stanley was condemned for a 'disgrace' lack of compassion after publicly arguing against extending a work-from-home dispensation for Labour colleague Carol Hyatt, who is undergoing cancer treatment, suggesting it was unfair to residents and taxpayers.“I do not feel it is very fair on the residents not to have a political representative being able to speak up for them for the period of effectively one whole year.” ↗Isaiah-John Reasbeck (Doncaster)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conduct 2024-08-06
Doncaster Reform UK councillor Isaiah-John Reasbeck made social media posts in August 2024 calling Bradford 'one of the biggest s***holes in Europe' due to its Muslim population and telling people they should be 'f***ing terrified' of Islam.“In one post on X, dated August 6, 2024, he wrote: "Bradford has one of the biggest Muslim populations in Europe it is also one of the biggest s***holes in Europe draw your own conclusions."” ↗Jack Rydeheard (Bury)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy March/April 2025
Rydeheard accused Conservative party members of censoring Reform UK election posts by removing them from a community Facebook group during the Tottington by-election campaign“Cllr Rydeheard claims posts he shared about Reform UK's Tottington candidate George Martin in a community Facebook group have been "removed twice over."” ↗Jackie Gardiner (Coventry)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyRacismExtreme views
Jackie Gardiner submitted a planning objection statement, read at Coventry City Council's planning committee, that fellow councillors condemned as 'racist', 'outrageous' and 'divisive' for suggesting 'longer-term travellers' could include migrants who might 'prey upon' young women.“This was an intention to create a furore and reaction that she knew would take place as a result of that outrageous, racist, divisive and political statement.” ↗James Walker-Gurley (Nottinghamshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct 2025-06-23
James Walker-Gurley, Reform cabinet member for economic development at Nottinghamshire County Council, gave a widely-criticised interview in which he read from a script and admitted he had 'no idea' about the council's relationship with EMCCA or why the Ollerton Roundabout upgrade was needed.“James Walker-Gurley, a senior cabinet member at Nottinghamshire County Council, said he "no idea" about its relationship with a key partner and "doesn't know" why a major roundabout needs improving.” ↗Jeff Bray (Essex)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyIslamophobiaExtreme views 2010
Jeff Bray was named in a Labour dossier for having claimed as a UKIP politician in 2010 that 'not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslim'.“Essex candidate Jeff Bray claimed that "not all Muslims are terrerists (sic), but all terrerists are Muslim" when a Ukip politician in 2010.” ↗Jennie Bone (North Northamptonshire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: family political
Jennie Bone's former husband Peter Bone subsequently partnered with Helen Harrison, who is now the Conservative group leader on North Northamptonshire Council. Jennie Bone's defection to Reform UK directly weakens Harrison's group, creating a politically charged family dynamic.“Her departure is another headache for the Tory group leader on NNC Helen Harrison, who is now married to Cllr Bone's former husband.” ↗Jennifer Wells (Coventry)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
Legal: other (concluded) 2017-05
Fined £440 and ordered to pay £255 court costs and a £44 victim surcharge“Jennifer Wells, of St Lukes Road, Holbrooks, failed to have a dog microchipped when ordered to do so. She was fined £440 and ordered to pay £255 court costs and a £44 victim surcharge.” ↗Jeremy Eustace (Kent)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyRacismExtreme views 2025
Jeremy Eustace co-tabled a Kent County Council motion declaring an 'illegal migration emergency' which claimed small boat arrivals were 'likely to contain a number of potential terrorist cells' and characterised migrants as coming from cultures where 'extreme violence' and 'honour killings' are common, drawing accusations of scaremongering and disinformation from opposition parties.“Opposition parties have branded the Reform motion as "scaremongering" and described the language used as "shameful".” ↗John Cox (Aberdeenshire)1 noteworthy finding
selection failure ×1
Selection failure 2017
rejected by SNP — General Election candidate 2017“Cox left the SNP in 2017 after he was not selected to stand for the party in that year's General Election, in part because of his pro-Brexit views.” ↗Jonathan Gullis (Newcastle-under-Lyme)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: business
Gullis is a director of Aegean Consultants, a public affairs firm that advises businesses on engaging with Reform UK, while simultaneously serving as a Reform UK borough council leader, creating a potential conflict between his commercial and political roles.“our Directors Daniel Jellyman and Jonathan Gullis were on the ground with clients, meeting staff from Reform UK's HQ” ↗Karl Perks (Worcestershire)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
Legal: other (alleged) 2025
Perks announced intention to seek criminal damages from perpetrators“As the Cabinet Member for Highways for Worcestershire County Council, I will be seeking criminal damages so that every other tax payer in the county does not pay for this” ↗Keith Prince (Havering)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy 2017
In 2017, Prince had a heated row with a fellow passenger during his daily Dartford-to-London commute on a Southeastern train service. The confrontation was filmed and reported on social media and in print and broadcast media. Prince subsequently apologised.“In 2017, Prince had a heated row with a fellow passenger during his daily Dartford-to-London commute on the Southeastern train service. The confrontation was filmed and was reported on social media and in print and broadcast media. Prince subsequently stated that "I'd like to apologise to my fellow commuters for the disturbance our initial disagreement caused."” ↗Lee Wolf (Rochdale)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy 2022
MIP defector Dylan Williams alleged bullying and alleged that most MIP candidates were Conservatives; Wolf denied all allegations and the party refuted bullying claims“The party refutes any allegation of bullying and will welcome any investigation. In his social media statement, Councillor Williams has inaccurately stated that most Middleton Independents candidates were Conservatives, this was not the case.” ↗Lewis Quigg (Oldham)1 noteworthy finding
selection failure ×1
Selection failure September 11, 2024
deselected by Conservative — Continued Conservative group membership“Following a decision by the executive, he has been expelled from the group.” ↗Lloyd Chapman (Swale)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyParty misconduct February 2025
Lloyd Chapman defected from the Swale Independents to Reform UK shortly after being elected on a platform that explicitly rejected national parties, prompting his former group leader to publicly apologise to voters for the misleading election leaflets.“The Swale Independents would like to apologise to all those who voted for the four Swale Independent Councillors who defected to Reform UK this week. Like you, we believed them when they said in their leaflets to get elected that they only wanted to represent their local residents and rejected the national parties with their whips and enforced policies” ↗Louise Taylor (Durham)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
Legal: council standards (pending) 2025-12-01
“Complaint Reference FS-Case-764185102
From: Standards Assessment Board - Monday 1 December 2025 3.00 pm - December 01, 2025
Recommendations Approved” ↗Marcus Lapsa (Coventry)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy
Conservative group leader accused Lapsa of 'absolute betrayal' of voters in Westwood ward by defecting to Reform UK without seeking a fresh electoral mandate“Cllr Gary Ridley, leader of the Conservative group at Coventry City Council, said: "This is an absolute betrayal of voters in Sherbourne and Westwood wards who voted for Conservative representation. If Cllrs Gardiner and Lapsa have a shred of honour left, they will resign their seats and stand for election under their new party banner."” ↗Maria Jones (Lancashire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: financial
Jones declared a beneficial interest in land in the county council's area, details held as sensitive information under Section 32 of the Localism Act“Sensitive information held under Section 32 of the Localism Act” ↗Mark Coletta (Uttlesford)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy
R4U alleged Coletta (and Bagnall) stood for R4U to oppose development near their own properties, and that their defection to Reform UK reflected a misunderstanding of R4U's values“The new Local Plan includes development proposals close to the homes of the two councillors who have since defected to Reform. If their intention in standing for Residents for Uttlesford was to oppose development near their own properties, this reflects a misunderstanding of our party's values.” ↗Mark Tucker (Norfolk)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductExtreme views
Mark Tucker, a Reform councillor for Old Catton in Norfolk, is alleged to have promoted climate change and Covid-19 conspiracy theories on X, including writing that the reaction to Covid 'was a crime against humanity' and endorsing a Neil Oliver video claiming 'Everything about Covid was a lie'.“Tucker is alleged to have promoted climate change and Covid-19 conspiracy theories on X, according to HOPE not hate. The anti-hate group reported in April: "Tucker has also written that the reaction to Covid 'was a crime against humanity' and responded, 'Short & sweet, excellent summary,' to a video by the conspiracy theorist GB News presenter Neil Oliver, in which he said: 'Everything about Covid was a lie…'"” ↗Martin Griffiths (North Northamptonshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyRacismParty misconduct
Martin Griffiths, leader of North Northamptonshire Council, refused to suspend or investigate Reform UK councillor Gavin Beales after Beales was exposed as having a profile on a white supremacist dating site, declaring there was 'no case to answer' despite an open letter from three local MPs calling for action.“Residents deserve better from you as the leader of North Northamptonshire Council and the people of Wellingborough deserve a better representative.” ↗Matthew Winfield (Wychavon)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
Legal: council standards (alleged) April 2023
Monitoring officer found clear breach and recommended formal apology and training; subsequently cleared by Member Conduct Committee“A report conducted by the monitoring officer at Wychavon District Council found the mayor had breached the town council's code of conduct.” ↗Michael Carver (Staffordshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct 2025
Michael Carver (Staffordshire County Council, Reform UK) has attended only one meeting since his May 2025 election and missed both meetings of the health and care committee.“Michael Carver (Staffordshire County Council) – has only attended one meeting since May elections and missed both meetings of the health and care committee” ↗Michael Cook (Devon)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyHomophobiaSocial media conduct May 2025
Devon county councillor Michael Fife Cook (Reform UK group leader) publicly questioned via Facebook whether libraries were a suitable venue for LGBT+ Pride events, wrongly conflating Exeter Pride with a separate organisation and making remarks linking LGBT+ content to the 'sexual needs of adults' influencing children, amid a wider campaign of threats and hate against Pride organisers.“asked on a Facebook post whether libraries were a "suitable place again" for Queerfest - even though the event this weekend is part of Exeter Pride.” ↗Michael Heaver (Southend-on-Sea)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductExtreme views 2019-08-18
Michael Heaver, while a Brexit Party MEP, was identified by Hope Not Hate as having shared tweets from Jack Posobiec, a promoter of the 'Pizzagate' conspiracy theory.“Farage and his MEPs Michael Heaver, Nathan Gill and Martin Daubney have shared the tweets of Jack Posobiec, a promoter of the "Pizzagate" conspiracy theory, which claimed a Washington pizzeria was a front for a paedophile ring that stretched to the top of the Democratic party.” ↗Michael Holt (Babergh)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy
Led Conservative group walkout during Babergh council debate on unitary authority proposals; walkout criticised as 'disgraceful behaviour' by fellow councillors“Cllr Michael Holt, alongside Tory members Peter Beer, Paul Clover, Margaret Maybury, Isabelle Reece and Brian Riley, left the meeting.” ↗Mike Payne (Calderdale)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conductRacism April 2018
Mike Payne shared an article on Facebook and Twitter titled 'France Slashes Benefits to Muslim Parasites by 83%' which described Muslims as 'invaders' who 'breed like rabbits', resulting in his suspension by the Conservative Party.“Mike Payne posted a link on Facebook and Twitter to a piece called "France Slashes Benefits to Muslim Parasites by 83%" in 2013.” ↗Mike Sankey (Wiltshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyExtreme viewsMisconduct 2023-11-30
Wiltshire councillor Mike Sankey was rebuked by fellow councillors after describing a proposed 100% affordable housing development in Melksham as 'a slum of the future' and 'an area of deprivation', remarks colleagues said showed prejudice against people living on council estates.“Fellow county councillors objected to the negative nature of this comparison.” ↗Mike Young (Hartlepool)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyDishonestyMisconduct October 2023
Mike Young, Conservative leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, faced an extraordinary council meeting over allegations he misled the public and elected members through a Conservative leaflet claiming council tax would be frozen for 2024/25 when no such proposal had been put to council.“Their request stated it has been arranged "to discuss and/or pass motions regarding the misleading of both the public and elected members on the issue of council tax by the council leader and potentially other members of the Conservative coalition"” ↗Natalie Rolls (Northumberland)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductHomophobiaExtreme views
Natalie Rolls, Reform UK deputy leader on Northumberland County Council, drew widespread criticism after a Facebook post attacking the RNLI for flying the Progress Pride flag at Blyth lifeboat station, claiming the charity had 'fallen to gender ideology' and was waging a 'war on women's rights'.“In a scathing social media post, Coun Natalie Rolls accused the charity of 'alienating' the public by flying the flag” ↗Neale Raleigh (Devon)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct 2024-10-02
Neale Raleigh, a Devon County Councillor for Reform, apologised after being filmed by a Ring doorbell camera publicly urinating on a street in Dunster while delivering campaign leaflets in October 2024.“footage emerged of him publicly relieving himself on the campaign trail in Dunster earlier this month” ↗Nephi Somerville (Derbyshire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: business
Councillor Somerville is both a Director and Shareholder of Somerware Ltd, which holds a tenancy/licence at 3 Maple Close, South Normanton, and is registered as a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest on his County Council register.“Shareholder Somerware Ltd 3 Maple Close South Normanton Derbyshire DE55 3BH” ↗Nigel Berrill (West Northamptonshire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: family political
Nigel Berrill sits on West Northamptonshire Council alongside his nephew Daniel Rainbird and Daniel's sister Jasmine Rainbird (also his niece by implication), and his brother-in-law Nicholas Humphries — a four-member family bloc on the same Reform UK-controlled council that has a majority of one after recent departures.“NN Journal has learned of a connection between Reform UK's Berrill, Rainbird and Humphries families on West Northamptonshire Council.” ↗Patti Mulcahy (Suffolk)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyParty misconduct
Patti Mulcahy was suspended from the Conservative Party amid a leaked email row before defecting to Reform UK.“It comes after she faced suspension from the Conservative party amid a leaked email row.” ↗Paul Sexton (Durham)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyParty misconductMisconduct 2025-05-16
Paul Sexton was accused of misleading voters by defecting to Reform UK just 12 days after being elected as an Independent on a platform critical of Reform policies, prompting calls for his resignation and a by-election.“Cllr Sexton ran a successful campaign as an Independent candidate, having already served for two council terms as an Independent, that openly criticised Reform policies and now he's joined them.” ↗Paul Webb (Kent)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyExtreme viewsSocial media conduct
Paul Webb, as KCC cabinet member, ordered the removal of transgender-themed books from the children's sections of Kent libraries and announced it on X, prompting criticism that it amounted to bullying a vulnerable group and bypassed proper council process.“The new Reform UK leadership at Kent County Council (KCC) is under fire after claiming to have removed transgender books from a library's children's section.” ↗Peter Channon (Cornwall)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
Legal: council standards (concluded)
upheld - breach of Code of Conduct found“The Hayle Town Clerk complained that Councillor Peter Channon behaved disrespectfully, made slanderous statements about the Council and the clerk's professionalism, and engaged in bullying and conduct bringing the Council into disrepute; an assessment concluded a breach of the Code of Conduct.” ↗Peter Evans (Thanet)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyIslamophobiaMisogynySocial media conduct
Peter Evans, a Reform UK candidate for Thanet, was reported to have made anti-Muslim social media posts, insults directed at women, jibes about disability, and expressed support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.“their anti-Muslim postings on social media, his insults of women and jibes about disability and his support for Tommy Robinson.” ↗Peter MacDonald (Swale)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconductExtreme views 2025-12
Peter MacDonald, a Reform councillor in Swale, was filmed chatting jovially with far-right demonstrators who disrupted a council meeting, abused councillors and caused thousands of pounds of damage to council property.“during the disruption one Reform councillor, Peter MacDonald, was filmed chatting jovially with the demonstrators.” ↗Richard Bingley (Thurrock)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyMisconduct 2023
Richard Bingley resigned as leader of Plymouth City Council in 2023 after issuing an executive order to fell more than 100 trees in the city centre, provoking public outcry.“Bingley led Plymouth City Council for a year before he resigned in 2023 after issuing an executive order to fell more than 100 trees in the city centre as part of a regeneration project.” ↗Richard Lowe (Nottinghamshire)1 noteworthy finding
selection failure ×1
Selection failure
rejected by Reform UK — Reform UK councillor candidate“So if I was praising Rupert on this matter (only) and then applied to be a Reform UK Councillor I would be rejected as I was told that any association with Rupert is forbidden.” ↗Richard Palmer (Swale)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy
Palmer posted on LinkedIn about being sacked for being a Reform UK candidate“Sacked for being a Reform candidate” ↗Rob Howard (Warwickshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy May 2025
Howard missed the first council meeting as he was away on holiday in the Dominican Republic, booked before the election; he acknowledged the criticism but said he worked throughout the holiday“I booked a holiday before Christmas, not for a moment realising what was going to happen. As you can imagine, I looked into cancelling it, but I would have lost 80 per cent of the value of the holiday.” ↗Robbie Lammas (Medway)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
Legal: civil suit (pending) November 2024
Reform UK group threatened judicial review of Medway Council motion rules change“The Reform UK group will now seek confirmation of the independent legal opinion from a specialist barrister to proceed with a legal challenge.” ↗Robert Whitton (Havering)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: business
Robert Whitton is the founder and CEO of Impact Capital Group, a property developer that has obtained planning permission from Havering Council (on whose council he now sits as a Reform UK councillor) to build approximately 972 homes and 223 care units at the former Romford Ice Rink site.“Impact Capital recently won planning permission from Havering Council to build the best part of 1,000 homes on the site of a former ice rink” ↗Robin Hunter-Clarke (Breckland)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: employment
Hunter-Clarke was working as campaign director for Conservative MP George Freeman at the same time as being a Conservative councillor, before defecting to Reform UK“He had been elected to Breckland District Council in May 2024 and was also working for the Mid Norfolk Conservative MP George Freeman as his campaign director.” ↗Roger Bennett (Redditch)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductParty misconduct October 2019
Roger Bennett was suspended from the Conservative Party for six months over social media posts while serving as Mayor of Redditch.“It is understood the conduct in question is in respect of social media posts by Coun Bennett.” ↗Roger Bennett (Worcestershire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductParty misconduct October 2019
Roger Bennett was suspended from the Conservative Party for six months over his own social media posts while serving as Mayor of Redditch, and was removed from the council's Conservative Group.“It is understood the conduct in question is in respect of social media posts by Coun Bennett.” ↗Ross Lambie (South Lanarkshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyRacismSocial media conduct May-June 2025
Ross Lambie defended a Reform UK attack ad targeting Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar that Sarwar condemned as 'blatant racism'.“The Scottish Labour leader accused the social media advert of "blatant racism", but the party – including Lambie – deny that they're running a racist campaign.” ↗Ryan Coogan (Huntingdonshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyDishonestyHarassment
Ryan Coogan published a newsletter making what Astrea Academy Trust described as 'false, malicious and defamatory' claims that Cottenham Village College principal Zoe Andrews had resigned amid misconduct allegations, which the Trust said constituted harassment of the principal.“Today, a publication by a local parent falsely and maliciously claims that Mrs Andrews has resigned amidst misconduct allegations.
"The article consists of inaccurate and untrue claims about the school's leadership, governance and safeguarding.
"These assertions are false. They are defamatory and form part of an attempt to harass Mrs Andrews in her position as principal."” ↗Sam Journet (Essex)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy
Labour councillor Aidan McGurran described Sam Journet as a 'massive c***' in a Facebook comment reply to a post by Journet, prompting calls from Journet and Conservatives for McGurran's suspension“He described a Reform UK councillor in Basildon as a "massive c***" in a social media comment. The remark was made when replying to a post shared by Cllr Sam Journet on Facebook.” ↗Sandra Ball (Oldham)1 noteworthy finding
selection failure ×1
Selection failure April 2023
deselected by Failsworth Independent Party — Councillor candidate (Failsworth West)“the de-selection of Cllrs Wilkinson and his close friend, Cllr Sandra Ball, the removal of the Party founder” ↗Shadman Zaman (Bury)1 noteworthy finding
selection failure ×1
Selection failure
rejected by Conservative Party — Besses Ward candidate“Dr Shadman Zaman was not confirmed as a Besses Ward candidate because of his failure to comply with instructions regarding electoral law and Party guidance and not because of any of his expressed views.” ↗Simon Mabbott (Derbyshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conduct 2025
Simon Mabbott, Reform councillor for Ilkeston South and Kirk Hallam, shared a Facebook post questioning whether a Labour MP swearing her parliamentary oath on the Quran while wearing a hijab represented British politics, and replied 'Good question' to a commenter asking why she should be 'allowed to swear to Allah' in 'Christian Britain'.“Cllr Mabbott had written on his share of the post: "Is this where British politics is now? Is this the Houses of Parliament in Great Britain?” ↗Simon Taylor (Kingston upon Hull)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductMisogyny 2026
Simon Taylor, Reform UK candidate for Sutton ward in Hull, faced calls for suspension after his Threads account was found making sexualised comments on women's posts, including replies to suggestive content and a close-up picture of a woman's rear.“Concerns have been raised over posts made by Simon Taylor, the party's candidate for the Sutton ward.” ↗Steve Trevelyan (Cornwall)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
unverified Legal: council standards (concluded)
No action taken on one case; one referred for further consideration; one dismissed“the council's conduct record shows three cases involving him: one resulted in no action, another was referred for further consideration, and the third was dismissed.” ↗Steve Trumm (Basingstoke and Deane)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductExtreme views 2024-09-25
Steve Trumm, chair of Basingstoke's Reform UK, posted a Nazi image from Doctor Who with the caption 'papers please' to attack Labour's digital ID scheme, drawing condemnation as offensive and trivialising the Holocaust from Nigel Farage, MP Luke Murphy, and the Association of Jewish Refugees, but refused to retract it.“Steve Trumm, a semi-retired train driver and former soldier, posted a picture of Nazis depicted in a Dr Who episode titled Let's Kill Hitler with the caption 'papers please'.” ↗Stuart Matthews (Nottinghamshire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
unverified COI: business
Stuart Matthews is Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Nottinghamshire County Council while also serving as a director of Via East Midlands Limited, a company registered at Bilsthorpe Business Park in the county, appointed July 2025.“VIA EAST MIDLANDS LIMITED (09903246)
- Company status
- Active
- Role Active
- Director
- Appointed on
- 11 July 2025” ↗Sue Davies (Devon)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy
Some Reform UK councillors, including Sue Davies, walked out of the Devon County Council chamber during a hate crime motion debate after a Liberal Democrat councillor appeared to suggest non-supporters were racist. Davies attempted to speak but was cut off on procedural grounds by the chair.“subsequently, some Reform UK councillors walked out of the chamber before the vote could be taken.” ↗Sue Eacock (Worcestershire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
unverified Controversy January 2026
Sue Eacock co-sponsored a motion at Worcestershire County Council to restrict single-sex facilities and services to biological women only, which was criticised by a trans campaigner as exclusionary and harmful to both trans people and cisgender women.“This motion harms cisgendered women (people whose identity matches what they were assigned at birth). Cis women are being harassed out of services because they don't look feminine enough.” ↗Susan Eacock (Redditch)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyIslamophobiaRacismSocial media conduct
Susan Eacock, Reform UK candidate for Redditch South, is reported to have posted anti-Muslim content claiming children aren't safe around Muslims and complained about too many black people on TV.“There's her dislike of Muslims and claims children aren't safe around them, her complaints about too many black people on TV, and much more.” ↗Susan Haworth (Bolton)1 noteworthy finding
selection failure ×1
Selection failure August 2024
failed vetting by Reform UK — Reform UK councillor (defection vetting)“Reform UK have said all councillors wishing to defect have to go through a 'formal vetting process' and that has not been completed in Coun Haworth's case.” ↗Terry Smith (Hertfordshire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductIslamophobiaExtreme views
Terry Smith, a Reform UK councillor in East Herts, faced code of conduct complaints and referred himself to democratic services after sharing a Tommy Robinson video about anti-migrant protests on Facebook with the comment 'Undermining UK values and way of life'.“Reform UK's Cllr Terry Smith referred himself to democratic services at East Herts Council (EHC) after mistakenly sharing a video from far-right anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson's YouTube channel.” ↗Theresa Arnold (Barnsley)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyExtreme viewsSocial media conduct
Theresa Arnold, Reform UK candidate for Wombwell ward in Barnsley, said people supporting Ukraine's war efforts should feel like 'mugs' and compared Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a Nazi, echoing Kremlin talking points.“Reform's Barnsley candidate Theresa Arnold said people supporting Ukraine's war efforts should feel like "mugs" and compared Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a Nazi – which is a Kremlin talking point.” ↗Thomas Manning (West Northamptonshire)1 noteworthy finding
legal issue ×1
Legal: criminal charge (concluded) before May 2025
Appeared in court for assaulting a police officer and criminal damage“Another Reform UK candidate, Thomas Manning, appeared in court for assaulting a police officer and criminal damage.” ↗Tom Pickup (Lancashire)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversySocial media conductRacismParty misconduct 2025-11
Tom Pickup was suspended by Reform UK and reported to the council's standards watchdog after participating in a WhatsApp group containing extremist messages (including calls for 'mass Islam genocide' and shooting Keir Starmer), in which he personally called the prime minister a 'dicktaker', called a government minister a 'Ukrainian boy penetrator', and endorsed mass deportations.“In one exchange, one person said Keir Starmer "needs a fucking bullet", to which another replied: "He's a DICKtator." Pickup responded by calling the prime minister a "dicktaker".” ↗Tony Wilson (Derbyshire)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: employment
Councillor Wilson is both employed by Derbyshire Combined Fire Authority (and by Mitie Ltd as Front of House Co-ordinator) and sits on the Derbyshire Combined Fire Authority as a council appointee.“Derbyshire Combined Fire Authority
Front of House Co-ordinator, Mitie Ltd” ↗Trish Smith (Leeds)1 noteworthy finding
conflict of interest ×1
COI: other
Trish Smith is a director of the Pudsey Town Hall CIC, which is seeking to take over Pudsey Town Hall, a building whose sale is being decided by Leeds City Council of which she is a member. She was unable to sign the call-in notice due to this involvement.“Cllr Trish Smith (Ref, Pudsey) was unable to sign the call in due to her involvement with the CIC.” ↗Zoe Hockton (Basildon)1 noteworthy finding
controversy ×1
ControversyIslamophobiaSocial media conduct
Zoe Hockton, a Reform UK candidate in Basildon, shared anti-Muslim social media posts including one declaring 'the UK is going to become an Islamic caliphate' and another mocking Ramadan by calling for a 'bacon month'.“Posts shared by Hockton include one declaring that "the UK is going to become an Islamic caliphate" and another which read: "I think we should have bacon month every year to coincide with ramadan. All true Brits to worship the sacred butty."” ↗