Reform UK has suspended four councillors on its Kent county council following the publication of a leaked video that exposed bitter internal divisions. The footage, first published by the Guardian, showed councillors complaining about 'backbiting' and being ignored by their leader, Linden Kemkaran, who told them to 'fucking suck it up' if they disagreed with her decisions.
A party spokesperson confirmed the suspensions on Monday, stating that councillors Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Bill Barrett and Maxine Fothergill had the whip removed pending investigation after 'evidence that they brought the party into disrepute'. The move reduces Reform's representation on the council from 57 seats won in May to 50, with two other councillors previously suspended and one defecting to Ukip.
The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from rival parties. Antony Hook, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council, warned that the 'chaos' was directly impacting constituents, noting that a committee meeting on school transport had been cancelled due to the suspensions. Labour MP Sojan Joseph described the affair as an 'absolute shambles', while Tory MP Louie French said it was 'a serious warning to the rest of the UK of what Reform in power looks like'.
The leaked video, recorded in late August, showed councillors expressing frustration with Kemkaran, who warned they would be 'screwed' and that Reform could forget about winning a general election if they failed to balance Kent's budget. A source claimed the suspensions were made 'with no firm evidence' and that a vote of no confidence in Kemkaran was being prepared for early November.
