Suspended Reform councillors quit party

11 hours ago

Jason Arunn MurugesuNorth East and Cumbria

Andrew Harrison said he would continue to serve residents as an independent

LDRS Andrew Harrison is wearing a black suit with a dark red tie with a light blue Reform rosette. He has close cropped grey hair. — Andrew Harrison said he would continue to serve residents as an independent

Two councillors who were suspended by Reform UK have resigned from the party.

Durham County Council deputy leader Darren Grimes said councillors Kenny Hope and Andrew Harrison had been suspended pending internal investigations. But he claimed it would be inappropriate to comment on why the pair had been suspended while investigations were ongoing.

On Friday, both councillors said they had since quit the party and they would continue in their roles as independents.

Both Hope, who represents Delves Lane in Consett, and Harrison, who represents Seaham, said their relationship with the Durham Reform leadership had broken down irrevocably.

A spokesperson for the national party claimed they were unsure how Hope and Harrison could resign from the party as they had been suspended on Monday.

'Leadership about respect'

Hope said he had quit the party with "deep regret".

In a letter, he said he had resigned as Durham Reform's group whip weeks ago and this had led to him being bullied and harassed.

He claimed there was a campaign by "elements of the leadership" to silence him.

He wrote: "To the leadership at Durham County Council: I do not work beneath you, nor was I elected to simply conform...

"Leadership is not about hierarchy or control. It is about respect, unity, and recognising the contribution of those around you."

Both Grimes and Andrew Husband, Durham County Council's Reform leader, have been approached for comment on this criticism.

Hope said he would continue in his role as a councillor and serve residents "selflessly, professionally and with integrity".

Durham Reform said both councillors had been suspended by the party

LDRS Durham County Hall is a multi-storey beige stone building. Its facade is mostly covered in windows. A blue gate leads into the building. Several cars are parked in front of its entrance. A grey and blue sign with the local authority's crest and reading County Hall is placed on a stone fence next to the gate. — Durham Reform said both councillors had been suspended by the party

Harrison said he had resigned from Reform due to irreconcilable "differences with the leadership in Durham" and a "lack of support".

He said would continue to serve the residents of Seaham as an independent.

"Doing the right thing has always been my motivation and will strive to get things done without diversion or delay", he said.

Durham County Council's Reform leader, Andrew Husband, said it was "unfair to comment on their status during a live investigation or suspension and the fact that both have resigned before its conclusion speaks volumes".

Husband said "when 65 individuals are thrown together with some big personalities it is fair to say some won't work out".

"We will conclude the investigations before making any further public comments," Husband added.

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