Hull and East Yorkshire mayor Luke Campbell 'firmly denies' an allegation of cyber flashing, Reform UK has said. The Reform mayor is under investigation in relation to the alleged incident.
Hull Live understands he has been interviewed by Humberside Police and that no charges or arrests have been made. The Observer has reported that the 39-year-old, former Olympic Gold medallist boxer is alleged to have shown a female colleague "naked and sexualised images" of himself.
Reform UK response
A spokesperson for Reform UK told Hull Live: "Luke firmly denies the allegations. They come from a disgruntled employee attempting to leverage a settlement in a meritless workplace dispute."
The Observer's article is based on a series of reports from the woman and witnesses submitted as part of an employment tribunal. In one report she is quoted as writing: "I was deliberately exposed to naked and sexualised images involving the mayor in the workplace, without my consent, and was laughed at when I was visibly embarrassed. In my view, this was unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which violated my dignity and created a humiliating, degrading and offensive working environment."
Witness accounts
A witness is said to have confirmed Mr Campbell and two male colleagues encouraged a female colleague to look at his laptop which showed an image of a naked man. The witness said the situation had left them "uneasy" and went on to recount other alleged incidents including Mr Campbell lowering the waistband of his trousers to show a tan line and a tattoo on his lower abdomen.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which is ultimately responsible for governance at local authorities, told Hull Live: "Whilst we cannot comment on individual allegations, Mayors should be held to the highest possible standards in elected office and combined authorities must have appropriate arrangements for protecting their staff, with the right safeguards in place when allegations are made. We have established processes in place to intervene in cases where they fail to meet these standards and will not hesitate to use them where required."
Political reactions
A spokesman for the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority confirmed to The Observer that a police investigation was under way. He said: "As with all public authorities, the combined authority has a standards process that can be engaged to deal with complaints about members and a complaints procedure that can be used to deal with complaints about officers. The standards process and the complaints procedure must be carried out in a fair and independent manner."
The Hull and East Riding Green party has called on Mr Campbell to resign if he is found guilty. Kerry Harrison, who stood against Mr Campbell for the Green Party in the Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral election in May 2025, said: "If Luke Campbell is found guilty he should resign immediately. Figures in public office such as the Mayor must maintain the highest standards of conduct and show respect for all staff in the workplace."
A Labour party spokesperson said the situation "raises more serious questions about the standards Reform expects from those it puts forward for public office". Pointing out that the allegation comes after more revelations of extreme racism and appalling behaviour in Reform, the spokesperson said: "Nigel Farage needs to explain how this keeps happening under his leadership and take responsibility for the culture he has created."
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: "Reform UK promised the world to Hull and East Yorkshire but all they've brought us is embarrassment. We deserve better. Both the Mayor and Reform UK have serious questions to answer - local people and businesses deserve better than their mess."
Hull Live has contacted Luke Campbell's office, Humberside Police and HEYCA for comment.
