Councillors quit Reform UK

Three Durham councillors, Lyndsey Fox, Nicole Brown, and Paul Sexton, have resigned from Reform UK to sit as independents on Durham County Council.

“I raised a serious safeguarding concern which I subsequently reported to the police and to the Police and Crime Commissioner”

16 councillors leave Reform since May

Reform UK has lost 16 councillors on Durham County Council since May elections when the party won 65 seats to secure a majority.

Welsh leader arrested

Reform's Welsh leader Dan Thomas resigned after police arrested him on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behavior.

“I was reported to the police and was released without charge”

Safeguarding concerns

Lyndsey Fox raised a safeguarding issue with Reform leadership but received no response, instead being redirected to political roles.

“While I would never expect the party to interfere with a police investigation, I did expect a safeguarding process”

Councillor criticism

Lyndsey Fox said Reform focused on internal politics rather than serving residents, despite being elected to deliver for County Durham.

“We were elected to deliver for County Durham, but too often the focus has appeared to shift towards internal politics”

Reform leader response

Reform's Durham County Council leader Andrew Husband accused the councillors of betraying residents by using Reform colors and then abandoning them.

“These people have let their residents down. They have conned them using Reform colours and betrayed the many members”

Welsh leader's statement

Dan Thomas resigned from Reform Wales for personal reasons but will continue as a Senedd member and support whoever becomes the next leader.

“I will continue to serve my constituents in Casnewydd Islwyn and will fully back whoever the group selects as its next leader”

Police report

Gwent Police arrested a 45-year-old man from Aberbargoed on suspicion of assault and controlling or coercive behavior.

“On Sunday 13 September a 45-year-old man, from the Aberbargoed area, was arrested on suspicion of assault and engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour”

Reform finances under scrutiny

Reform UK faces investigation into foreign donations after senior figures were filmed discussing how to disguise donations from foreign sources.

“Detectives from the Metropolitan Police are investigating after senior Reform figures were filmed appearing to discuss how to disguise donations from foreign sources”

Nigel Farage's gift under review

Nigel Farage is under investigation by Parliament's standards watchdog over a £5 million gift from billionaire Christopher Harborne.

“Nigel Farage's Reform UK has been plunged further into chaos by the resignation of three more local councillors”

Councillor's safeguarding claim

Lyndsey Fox reported to police and the Police and Crime Commissioner about safeguarding concerns but received no meaningful follow-up from Reform.

“I entered local politics because I wanted to make a difference for Bishop Auckland and County Durham”

Reform's internal politics

Reform UK has been criticized for shifting focus from serving residents to internal political positioning for future elections.

“Too often the focus has appeared to shift towards internal politics and positioning for future elections rather than the job residents elected us to do”

Reform's financial controversy

Reform UK denies wrongdoing in foreign donations investigation but faces scrutiny over its financial practices.

“Reform denies any wrongdoing and has said it will co-operate fully with the probe”

Reform's Welsh leader

Dan Thomas was named Reform's Welsh leader in February and led the party to become the second largest in the Senedd at May elections.

“Mr Thomas was named Reform's Welsh leader in February and led the party to become the second largest in the Senedd at elections in May”

Reform's leadership crisis

Reform UK is experiencing a leadership crisis with multiple resignations and investigations into its financial practices.

“Reform UK has been plunged further into chaos by the resignation of three more local councillors”

Safeguarding concerns

Lyndsey Fox raised a safeguarding issue with Reform leadership but received no response, instead being redirected to political roles.

“I would never expect the party to interfere with a police investigation, but I did expect a safeguarding process”