Reform UK Expels Councillors Over Racism and Leadership Disputes

Political party Reform UK suspended and expelled several local representatives in May 2026 following a series of internal disputes and revelations of racist conduct. In Essex, the party expelled councillor Stuart Prior after investigations uncovered racist and anti-Muslim content he had posted online. Prior subsequently resigned from his positions on both the Essex County Council and Rochford District Council.

Concurrent turmoil occurred in Worcestershire, where the party suspended Jo Monk, the former leader of the Worcestershire County Council group, for refusing to accept the democratic decision to replace her with Alan Amos. Her son, councillor Ashley Monk, was also suspended for criticizing Amos on social media. Ashley Monk later resigned from the party to serve as an independent.

The party also faced criticism regarding councillor Daniel Devaney in Bradford, who remained in office despite past posts describing Muslims as "pure scum." While critics pointed to a systematic failure in the party's vetting process, leadership defended their standards for candidates.