Four councillors have been suspended by Reform UK for allegedly bringing the party “into disrepute”, a party spokesperson has confirmed.
A Reform UK spokesperson said:
“Cllrs Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Bill Barrett and Maxine Fothergill have had the whip suspended pending investigation, following evidence that they brought the party into disrepute.”
The suspension follows the leak of a chaotic video from a Kent County Council meeting over the weekend, which showed heated exchanges between councillors.
In the video, Linden Kemkaran, the Reform UK leader of Kent County Council, can be heard using strong language, reportedly telling members to “f**ing suck it up*” if they disagreed with decisions being made.
Cllr Kemkaran also warned that those voicing dissent would be “screwed” and suggested that Reform UK would struggle to win a general election if the council failed to balance Kent’s budget.
The footage, obtained by The Guardian, shows Kemkaran allegedly shouting down colleagues and threatening to “mute” them — a moment many have compared to the infamous “Jackie Weaver” parish council meeting that went viral during the pandemic.
“Let’s not forget, we are the shop window in KCC,” Cllr Kemkaran told councillors. “People are looking at us, judging us every single minute of every single day. Nigel knows that. He is super aware that we are the flagship council.”
Earlier this year, Cllr Kemkaran was pictured with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, highlighting her prominent role within the party’s growing local government presence.
Reform UK has said its investigation into the councillors’ conduct is ongoing.
More updates to follow as the story develops.
