Three County Durham councillors quit Reform UK amid allegations

Three more councillors have quit Reform UK at Durham County Council just a day before a crucial meeting to decide how it will find £20 million of savings this year.

The Northern Echo understands councillors Lyndsey Fox, Nicole Brown and Paul Sexton have left Reform and will now sit as independents on the authority.

The resignations come as cabinet members prepare to meet today (Wednesday) to discuss mounting budget pressures, with an estimated £80 million deficit forecast in the years ahead.

Cllr Fox said she had left the party because of "growing concerns about the culture I have experienced," and said that she had raised a 'serious safeguarding' issue with leadership but had no response.

She added her resignation was not a result of upcoming budget discussions.

"In July, I raised a serious safeguarding concern which I subsequently reported to the police and to the Police and Crime Commissioner," she said.

"While I would never expect the party to interfere with a police investigation, I did expect a safeguarding process: an acknowledgement that the concern had been raised, clarity around safeguarding responsibilities and appropriate follow-up.

"Instead, the conversation moved quickly to political numbers and possible roles within the council. There was no meaningful follow-up with me about the safeguarding concern itself."

Bishop Auckland county councillor, Lyndsey Fox, said she has quit Reform UK. (Image: SKY)

The departures are the latest setback for Reform's flagship council administration after the party swept to power in May 2025, winning 65 of the authority's 98 seats.

Cllr Fox said she has been "increasingly uncomfortable with the direction of the group since May."

"We were elected to deliver for County Durham, but too often the focus has appeared to shift towards internal politics and positioning for future elections rather than the job residents elected us to do.

"I entered local politics because I wanted to make a difference for Bishop Auckland and County Durham. That remains my priority."

Nigel Farage singled out County Durham as one of Reform's most important target councils during the local election campaign and celebrated the victory at Newton Aycliffe's Big Club, where he told supporters the result marked a major breakthrough for the party in local government.

Nigel Farage at The Big Club in Newton Aycliffe hailing Reform UK's success in County Durham last year. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

More than a year later, the administration has been rocked by a series of resignations, suspensions and defections.

At least 13 councillors had already left Reform, been suspended or stood down from the council before the latest departures.

'I would like to see one shred of evidence that I have bullied anyone within Reform'

The most recent high-profile resignation was Sedgefield councillor Ian Catchpole, who quit Reform last month and accused senior figures within the group of failing to take mental health concerns seriously, allegations he repeated in a Sky News investigation into the ruling party at Durham County Council.

"I cannot and will not continue to be part of a political group culture that operates in this manner or treats colleagues with such disregard," he said at the time.

Former Delves Lane councillor Kenny Hope also alleged he had been subjected to "bullying, harassment, coercion" by elements of the group's leadership.

Reform leader Andrew Husband has repeatedly rejected the allegations.

Durham County Council leader Andrew Husband (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Cllr Husband said: "I would like to see one shred of evidence that I have bullied anyone within Reform.

"It seems to be the outgoing narrative of any councillor who leaves the party in disgrace."

He added: "We are a tighter group without them. We are a well run council getting results."

The latest resignations leave Reform with a majority of just three members on Durham County Council as it prepares to confront difficult financial decisions over spending and savings.

Since May 2025, the following councillors have left Reform UK or no longer represent the party on Durham County Council:

• Andrew Kilburn (Benfieldside)
• David Cumming (Murton)
• John Bailey (Easington and Shotton)
• Kate Rowland (Shildon)
• Michael Ramage (Shildon)
• Jasmine Fox (Lower Teesdale)
• Nick Brown (West Auckland)
• Andrew Harrison (Seaham)
• Kenny Hope (Delves Lane)
• Jack McGlenen (Dawdon)
• Ian Catchpole (Sedgefield)
• Dawn Saunders (Peterlee)
• Paul Bean (Crook, now with Advance UK)
• Lyndsey Fox (Bishop Auckland)
• Nicole Brown (Aycliffe South)
• Paul Sexton (Chester-le-Street South)

Reform UK has been contacted for comment.