STORY
A Labour MP has called for Reform UK to expel Karl Catchpole, a Reform UK councillor in Norfolk, following allegations about social media posts and comments attributed to him. Ben Goldsborough, the MP for South Norfolk, said he had written to Reform UK urging the party to remove Catchpole, who was elected for the Long Stratton division on Norfolk County Council with 1,517 votes.
The allegations include claims that Catchpole called Enoch Powell “one of the greatest visionaries of the last 50 years”, praised Tommy Robinson as “a caring family man” and shared a post about David Lammy which described him as “like some corrupt African official”. The remarks have prompted criticism from political opponents, with Goldsborough arguing that the posts were unacceptable and that Reform UK should take disciplinary action.
The row adds to wider scrutiny of Reform UK’s vetting of candidates following the local elections, after several councillors around the country faced allegations over past comments, social media posts or political associations. Reform UK has previously said it investigates allegations against candidates and councillors, but Goldsborough has accused the party of failing to act in this case. Reform UK said that they were not planning to expel Catchpole and were unable to make any further comment.