Stuart Prior, a newly elected Reform UK councillor for Essex County Council, has resigned days after winning his seat, following allegations of racist and antisemitic social media posts. Prior, who secured 2,404 votes—the highest in his ward—also won a seat on Rochford District Council. A Reform spokesperson confirmed his resignation for personal reasons and that his party membership had been revoked.
The allegations against Prior include posts where he reportedly described white people as the “master race,” called Muslims “rats” and “dirt,” and celebrated the rape of a Sikh woman in the Midlands. In a post on X in November 2025, he allegedly wrote “good.reap it” in response to a post by MP Zarah Sultana about the assault. Prior has denied making the comments, telling the Mirror: “That’s not what I would have put down” and “this isn’t me.”
Prior is one of several Reform councillors facing scrutiny over extremist remarks. The anti-extremism group Hope not Hate compiled a dossier detailing posts by other newly elected Reform members. Derek Bullock, elected in Bolton, allegedly used a racial slur after the 2017 Manchester Arena attack and spoke of encouraging Muslims to join Islamic State. Bullock has denied the claims, and Reform said he reported the matter to police.
Jay Leslie Cooper, elected in Sefton, allegedly described the Holocaust as a “hoax” on Facebook. Nathaniel Menday, elected in Sheffield, reportedly called himself an ethno-nationalist and praised Nazi-era architecture. Ben Rowe, elected in Plymouth, also faces allegations. Reform UK said Cooper had resigned the whip and had his membership revoked.
The Muslim Council of Britain warned that racist and dehumanising rhetoric about Muslims, Jews, and immigrants is becoming normalised in British politics. The controversy comes alongside separate criticism of Green Party councillors over alleged antisemitic comments.
