Reform UK's candidate for Mayor of London, Laila Cunningham, has been found to have failed to disclose her shareholdings in a Central London hotel for nearly four years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). Cunningham, who is also a Westminster City councillor, did not declare her 5% stake in Plaza Continental Hotels Limited until this week, despite holding the stake since becoming a councillor in May 2022.
The company owns the New Dawn Hotel in Bayswater. Under the Localism Act 2011, elected officials must disclose any 'beneficial interest' in a business operating in their area within 28 days of taking office. Failure to do so could be a criminal offence, carrying a fine of up to £5,000 and disqualification from office for five years.
A spokesperson for Cunningham claimed she receives no dividends from the stake and plays no role in the company's management, arguing that the interest did not need to be declared. Cunningham told the LDRS the shares were gifted to her as a child and are part of a 'family agreement' with her mother, who owns the hotel. She also admitted that her employment details on the register are out of date.
The hotel, which charges around £50 per night, has been criticised in negative reviews. Westminster City Council said it does not comment on alleged breaches of the Member Code of Conduct but would handle any formal complaints in line with its procedures. Conservative group leader Cllr Paul Swaddle accused Cunningham of prioritising personal ambition over transparency, stating that 'transparency rules are not optional'.
