It was reported on 15 May that two Reform UK councillors in County Durham had resigned from the party, having previously being suspended. It was not initially made clear why they were suspended as Durham County Council deputy leader Darren Grimes said that while investigations were ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment.
Councillor Kenny Hope who represents Delves Lane ward in Consett and Councillor Andrew Harrison who represents Seaham ward, claimed that their relationship with the Reform leadership in the county was irrevocably broken.
Hope is said to have quit the party with what he described as “deep regret”, also claiming that he had been bullied and harassed.
Hope went on to say “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’s about respect unity and recognising the contribution of those around you”.
Meanwhile Harrison said that he would resign from Reform because of what he described as irreconcilable “differences with the leadership in Durham” and a “lack of support”.
Reform councillor employing ‘illegal worker’
The following day Chroniclelive reported on what Reform UK had told them had been the reason for Harrison’s suspension. According to Chroniclelive, Reform UK said that Harrison had been suspended due to the fact that his company Churchill’s management limited received a £40,000 fine in February last year, because they were employing an illegal worker. It was also reported at the time that Harrison had said that his company was fully compliant with the necessary documentation.
A spokesperson for Reform UK was quoted as saying “Andrew and Kenny were suspended from Reform UK pending investigation on Monday morning, so not quite sure what they’re resigning from, with regard to Andrew his suspension was a result of the fine his company received over employing an illegal worker among other things”.
It was also reported that County Durham council leader and Reform group leader Andrew Husband had claimed that the decision by the two councillors to resign before the outcome of the investigation “speaks volumes”.
Comment
The cases of these two councillors make for interesting reading, given that County Durham faces many serious problems, including having some of the most deprived areas in the country .
Residents of County Durham need councillors who will put their needs first and not their own. They also need councillors who do not behave in ways which are fundamentally hypocritical.
County Durham needs honest hardworking councillors with a vision of what the county could be, along with an understanding of it’s heritage of hard work, innovation and values of tolerance, solidarity and fairness.
