A Reform UK council member has been suspended following allegations that the party was concealing its strong stance on immigration.
Lancashire County Council’s County Councillor Tom Pickup was suspended after messages attributed to him were shared by the Reform Party UK Exposed account, indicating his support for mass deportations.
In the WhatsApp exchanges, Cllr Pickup, referred to as “Tom,” seemed to agree with another chat participant who suggested that a majority of Britons favored mass deportations and stricter migration policies.
He mentioned that Reform members, including himself, held more rigid immigration views than publicly disclosed, emphasizing the need for strategic approaches to gain a majority government.
The Labour Party in the county condemned the comments as “despicable,” especially in light of recent allegations against Nigel Farage, questioning Reform UK’s vetting process and demanding an apology to the people of Lancashire.
Reform UK faced internal turmoil, winning a Kent County Council majority but subsequently suspending nine councillors. The controversy arose amid accusations of racist and antisemitic remarks by Farage during his school days, which he denies.
Councillor Pickup welcomed the suspension, expressing readiness for an investigation to reveal the truth. Reform UK has been contacted for a response.