Reform UK expels two more suspended councillors

By Local Democracy Reporter Simon Finlay

Two more suspended Reform UK county councillors have been booted out of the party.

A statement said that Swale member Izzy Kemp has been expelled for the “leaking of confidential information” while Maxine Fothergill, who represents Sevenoaks, had failed to disclose a “serious matter” during her vetting procedure.

Cllr Kemp’s dismissal is allegedly linked to the leaking of a virtual meeting which was published on October 18 by the Guardian, in which Kent County Council (KCC) leader Linden Kemkaran is seen swearing and shouting at her members.

In one clip, Cllr Kemkaran is heard defending a decision on local government reorganisation, telling her councillors that they would have to “f**king suck it up”.

A Reform Party investigation concluded Cllr Kemp had created and administered a WhatsApp group “in which making a screen recording of the meeting was discussed”.

It is also alleged that “Cllr Kemp had encouraged a colleague to be dishonest about a vote of no confidence, and had failed to disclose that such recordings were being made”.

Cllr Kemp, a 23-year-old mother of two, had already been fired from her job as a part-time data protection officer with Reform UK.

She has already indicated that she is considering taking her former employers to an industrial tribunal and has been in contact with a whistle-blowing charity for advice.

Cllr Kemp, who has denied any involvement in the Guardian leak, said this evening: “I was expecting it so there’s not much to say, really. When I offered to hand in my devices to the party for forensic examination and they refused, I knew there was never going to be a proper investigation.”

The party’s investigation found “insufficient evidence” to conclude Cllr Fothergill was responsible for the leak but found she had allegedly failed to tell bosses of  “past or current issues that may embarrass or discredit Reform UK”.

The statement from party HQ said that in 2017 Cllr Fothergill was “sued for defamation and entered into a Consent Order requiring the payment of damages and a public apology in open court”.

She has always protested her innocence over the leak allegations.

Cllr Fothergill was unavailable for comment.

A party spokesman said: ”Cllr Izzy Kemp has been expelled from Reform UK following an internal investigation into the leaking of confidential information.

“Cllr Maxine Fothergill has been expelled from Reform UK after an internal investigation found she had failed to disclose a serious matter to the Party during vetting.”