Royal Mail has launched an investigation into allegations that a postman claimed to have discarded Reform UK campaign leaflets in a bin. The claim surfaced in a Facebook group for Royal Mail staff, where a user wrote: "My DO had reform party's D2D today. I dumped them all in a bin. They can sack me! Idgaf!"
Details of the Allegation
The post was shared in a private Facebook group called Royal Mail Chat, which has approximately 30,000 members. The acronyms used include "DO" for delivery office, "D2D" for door-to-door or unaddressed advertising mail, and "IDGAF" for "I don't give a f***."
Reform UK's Response
A Reform UK legal representative sent a letter of complaint to Alistair Cochrane, chief executive of Royal Mail, stating that the screenshot was circulated on or around Saturday. The letter demanded an "immediate and thorough internal investigation" within three days and a full written explanation. It also requested details of any compensation measures Royal Mail proposes to offer Reform UK for the loss and disruption caused by the incident.
Party leader Nigel Farage commented on X: "It is right that @RoyalMail have launched a full investigation into this allegation. If found to be true, it would be very disturbing and an attack on the democratic process itself."
Royal Mail's Statement
Royal Mail issued a statement emphasizing its role in elections: "We play a crucial role in elections and take our responsibility very seriously. We do not tolerate the deliberate non-delivery of mail. We are investigating this allegation and remain committed to impartial delivery for all candidates."
Further Demands from Reform UK
The party is seeking confirmation that appropriate disciplinary action, "up to and including summary dismissal," has or will be taken against any employee found to have participated in or condoned the destruction of materials. It also called for written assurances that future Reform campaign deliveries will be "prioritised, properly monitored, and safeguarded against any recurrence."
In the Facebook post, the legal representative stated: "This admission provides clear prima facie evidence of the deliberate destruction or non-delivery of Reform UK's door-to-door campaign materials that had been entrusted to Royal Mail. Such conduct constitutes a wilful breach of Royal Mail's statutory and contractual obligations to deliver mail and literature impartially and efficiently. It also undermines the democratic process and Reform UK's lawful right to engage in political campaigning."
Background on the Facebook Group
The Facebook group is open to Royal Mail employees and partners, as well as members of the Communication Workers Union, a trade union covering postal delivery workers. It does not admit current or former Royal Mail managers.
