A councillor from Reform UK has been suspended following allegations that the party was concealing its strict stance on immigration. Lancashire County Council’s County Councillor Tom Pickup was suspended after messages attributed to him were shared by the Reform Party UK Exposed account. These messages suggested his agreement with the notion of mass deportations.

In the leaked WhatsApp messages, Councillor Pickup, identified as “Tom,” seemed to support the idea of a robust immigration policy which would be revealed soon, emphasizing the need for strategic approaches to gain political traction. He also mentioned that members of Reform UK held stronger views on immigration than publicly disclosed, highlighting the party’s need for a tactical approach to secure a majority government.

In response to these revelations, a spokesperson for the Labour Party in the county condemned the comments as reprehensible, especially in light of recent allegations against Nigel Farage. The Labour Party demanded an explanation from Reform UK for failing to vet its representatives adequately and called for an apology to the people of Lancashire.

Reform UK has faced internal turmoil, including the suspension of nine councillors after winning a majority on Kent County Council. These events unfolded shortly after Nigel Farage faced accusations of racism and antisemitism from former classmates, which he denies. The party leader is under scrutiny for alleged controversial remarks made during his time at Dulwich College.

Councillor Pickup welcomed his suspension and the ensuing investigation, expressing a desire for the truth to emerge. Reform UK has been contacted for further comments on the matter.