A Reform UK Member of Parliament is at the centre of a political storm after being accused of a 'complete fabrication' regarding funding for a charity boxing club in her constituency.
The Controversial Claim
Sarah Pochin, the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, posted a video on Facebook filmed inside the Runcorn Amateur Boxing Club (ABC). In the clip, which has since been deleted, she stated, "My office has managed to help them get funding to keep them going for another 12 months because they do great work for young people in Runcorn." This boast, however, was swiftly and publicly dismantled by the club itself.
The Club's Firm Rebuttal
Runcorn ABC issued a forceful statement on Facebook on October 7, completely denying the MP's claims. The club clarified that it had "received no funding from Reform" and labelled Ms Pochin's assertion a "complete fabrication." They emphasised their status as a charity run by volunteers with no connection to any political party.
The club also revealed that its chair and head coach had not given permission for the MP to film on its premises. In a comment to The Mirror, the organisation expressed concern that such false statements could harm its future funding applications, as it would imply they were already financially supported. "As a charity we do not get involved with politics especially in the current extremely divisive climate," they added. The club requested an apology from their MP.
A Retraction and Further Confusion
Following the club's rebuttal, which was first reported by local newspapers, Ms Pochin attempted to clarify her position. She claimed there had been "some confusion" and that her team had actually helped secure funding from Juniper Training for Diverse Sports Runcorn (DSR), an organisation that operates within the boxing club but is separate from it.
She stated that funding for DSR was at risk but was secured after her intervention. However, this explanation did not satisfy Runcorn ABC, which again reiterated that this did not involve them. Ms Pochin subsequently deleted this post as well.
In a final Facebook post on October 8, the MP admitted, "To clarify, there has been no additional funding sourced for Runcorn Amateur Boxing Club... The funding has come from existing resources which have been allocated for a further year." This admission concluded a series of claims and retractions that have raised questions about the MP's account of events.
