Reform UK suspends four Kent councillors after video leak

Reform UK has suspended four councillors following the leak of a video of a heated virtual council meeting.

The councillors sit on Kent County Council (KCC), which is one of ten councils run by Reform UK and is seen by the party as a test bed of its governing capabilities.

It comes after footage was leaked to The Guardian of KCC leader Linden Kemkaran swearing and telling party members to “suck it up” regarding some of her decisions.

When asked by BBC Radio Kent if the suspensions were linked to the video, she declined to comment.

“It is business as usual at Kent County Council,” she said.

A party spokesperson said Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Bill Barret and Maxine Fothergrill have had the whip suspended pending an investigation.

They said the suspensions were the result of “evidence” the councillors “brought the party into disrepute”.

Ms Kemkaran was heard in the clip raising her voice at councillor Thomas, and threatening to mute him during an exchange on local government reorganisation.

Councillor Thomas said to the meeting: “Quite frankly, the question is…is that the right leader and the right cabinet?”

Ms Kemkaran previously said those behind the leak were “weak” and “foolish” to have committed an act of “treachery”, and that a “thorough investigation” had been launched.

She could face a vote of no confidence in the coming weeks over the leaked video, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The LDRS reported that a backbencher, who has asked not to be named, has already begun seeking the required number of signatures to spark the possible dismissal.

Councillor Anthony Hook, opposition leader of Kent County Council, has called Ms Kemkaran’s position “untenable” and said she is “unfit to lead”.

“If you thought the Conservatives were bad when they ran KCC, Reform is far worse, more disorganised, more inexperienced, and more reckless,” the Liberal Democrat councillor said.

“It’s been less than a year, but Reform in Kent is proving with each day that the party is politically and morally unfit to be near power at any level.”

Reform UK swept into County Hall in Kent – the biggest local council in the country – in May, with a landslide victory, winning 57 of the 81 seats.

Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Bill Barret and Maxine Fothergrill have been approached for comment.