Reform UK Video Leak

The Reform UK leader of Kent County Council has described her own councillors who leaked a recording of an internal online meeting as "cowards".

The Guardian published a lengthy clip and article of Cllr Linden Kemkaran swearing and threatening to mute a member who tried to raise a point with her.

Within hours of the piece going live online, Cllr Kemkaran sent a message to her councillors telling them that a “thorough investigation” has been launched.

She claims those responsible for the leak are “weak” and “foolish” to have committed an act of “treachery”.

In the video, as she explained her decision-making on local government reorganisation, she told her colleagues “…I am afraid you are just going to have to f***ing suck it up”.

In another passage, Cllr Kemkaran threatened to mute Maidstone member Cllr Paul Thomas who asked for an explanation on her decision-making.

KCC is Reform UK’s flagship council which is seen as a test bed for its ability to run a massive authority ahead of a general election expected in 2029.

There have been rumblings within the group since the summer of internal unhappiness, particularly among the back benchers about the senior leadership team.

One Reform UK back bencher said this evening: “I wouldn’t expect anything else from Linden, coming out all guns blazing with colourful language, but she is clearly rattled.

“She doesn’t seem to realise or even care that there is a significant section of the 54 remaining members who dislike her style of doing things quite a lot.”

The message sent to members said Cllr Kemkaran said she expected attacks from opponents.

She added: “To have people on the inside, who smile to our faces, sit next to us at meetings , share jokes, anecdotes, before stabbing us in the back is very sad indeed.

“The people who did this are cowards. They are weak. They are foolish. They are incapable of displaying true courage themselves, so they look to harm those who are. They are obsessed with personal gain at the expense of group success.

“They cannot cope with disappointment and personal inadequacies so they seek to bring down others to their level.”

Once rooted out, the culprits behind the leaks will have “no political future”, she said.

She told members: “I want you to know…I passed my suspicions of who is responsible for this treachery to head office and a thorough investigation is already underway. The guilty parties will be expelled from the Reform Party without delay. They will have no political future.

“Do try to enjoy the rest of the weekend. This will not derail us from our mission. Stay strong my loyal friends.”

Cllr Kemkaran was approached for comment.