Reform KCC Lose One More

Reform UK have suspended their County Councillor for Swale, Isabella Kemp, reducing their numbers to 48 from the 57 who were elected in May.

Isabella Kemp also says she was dismissed from her data protection role at the party’s headquarters this week. The 23-year says she has already started the process of challenging Reform UK for unfair dismissal.

At the same time the expelled Reform UK councillor Robert Ford declared he is considering suing for libel over allegations contained in a press release about his recent suspension.

Cllr Robert Ford believes a media statement issued on October 13 to news organisations has damaged his reputation.

It said Cllr Ford was being suspended after an “unofficial complaint” from “several” members of female staff.

It is understood the member for the Maidstone Rural West division is approaching “no win, no fee” legal firms who specialise in defamation cases, which can be ruinously costly if taken privately.

Opposition groups say Cllr Kemkaran’s administration is in “chaos” and called on her to step down.

Speaking outside County Hall in Maidstone before today’s 10am meeting of full council, Cllr Ford said that he believes the complaint arose from the fact he wrote an erotic novel.

But he thinks the real reason for his suspension was that he sent an email to Reform UK colleagues over alleged bullying at KCC. Reform UK has denied bullying.

In his short statement today, Cllr Ford said: “I entered politics because I could no longer trust politicians who lie and fail to stand up for their beliefs and the people they serve.

“So I wrote an email to my colleagues to address the bullying happening around us. I knew I would face consequences for this, but I was prepared for that. What followed, however, shocked me.

“I’m currently taking legal advice regarding the defamation of my character by Reform UK at KCC. And I intend in the coming months to pursue this with vigour.”

He added: “A few days ago, I discovered the so-called complaints against me, all related to my novel writing.

“It’s astonishing that my name can be defamed in the media simply because I wrote an erotic novel and got it published by a major company. And then I mentioned it to a few people in the building behind me (County Hall).

“It’s a shame that our great nation has come to this.”

Cllr Ford’s “Diaries of Colourful Life” was published by Pegasus under his nom de plume, R W Mittson. He has already written 180 pages of a new book detailing his experiences as a Reform UK councillor at KCC.

In a libel action, under the Defamation Act, a statement about a person is actionable if it seriously affects their reputation by exposing them to ridicule, hate or contempt or be shunned or avoided; lowering them in the estimation of right-thinking members of society generally or disparaging them in their place of business, trade, office or business.

A claimant can also take action even where there is an inference.

Cllr Ford said the press release was designed to damage him and his reputation.

The press release, issued at 17.17 from the party’s London HQ but quoted a “Reform UK Kent spokesperson”.

A Reform UK Kent spokesperson said: “We have today suspended the Reform UK whip from Cllr Robert Ford pending investigation into his conduct.

“Last week an unofficial complaint was made against Cllr Ford by several female members of staff. Despite being offered a meeting with the whip’s office to discuss the complaints, Cllr Ford refused to engage with the process which has now escalated into a disciplinary matter.”

Cllr Kemp refused to discuss at length her intentions but she confirmed she had been fired from her job at Reform UK HQ because of WhatsApp messages she is alleged to have sent relating to the leadership at KCC. She also said that she has had the whip suspended from her at County Hall.

Cllr Kemp said that she has already been in touch with the conciliation service ACAS and the Protect whistle-blowers’ charity.

Reform UK confirmed she remains suspended pending investigation.

The party and Linden Kemkaran have both been approached for a comment this morning.

Cllrs Ford and Bill Barrett (pictured below) have recently formed the Independent Reformers group and say they are in advanced discussions with two other members about joining.

Cllr Barrett said: “Nigel Farage has allowed Linden Kemkaran to run riot at Kent County Council and she is running riot.”

Cllr Barrett said the Independent Reformers offered “a warm sanctuary” to disaffected Reform UK members at County Hall.

Five Reform UK councillors have been expelled and Cllrs Kemp and Maxine Fothergill remain suspended. All are alleged to have brought the party into disrepute but all deny wrong-doing.

Cllr Kemkaran has faced weeks of negative headlines since a leaked video of her shouting and swearing at her members in a virtual meeting appeared on the Guardian website.

Reform leader Nigel Farage has publicly back Cllr Kemkaran.

This morning, Liberal Democrat deputy group leader, Cllr Richard Streatfeild said: “KCC is in chaos now and it is really starting to damage Kent and the people of Kent. Cllr Kemkaran has to go.”

Conservative councillor Sarah Hudson said Cllr Kemkaran is “not fit” to lead KCC, adding: “Dictatorship, no dissension allowed, lemmings without any ability to run the council – just belligerent one policy rabbits in the headlights!”

Suspended Cllr Fothergill arrived at County Hall this morning still protesting her innocence. “I have done nothing wrong,” she said.