Reform UK retains seat on local council it runs

Lee Duffy retained the seat for Reform UK following the count

Reform UK have retained a seat on a council following a by-election that was held after the resignation of one of its councillors over allegations he directed racial slurs at neighbours.

The Lloyds and Corby Village ward, on North Northamptonshire Council, was up for grabs again after Robert Bloom stood down in August, following his election in May.

Lee Duffy won the by-election with 754 votes, 38% of the votes. Reform UK remain in control of the council.

The Labour Party came second, the Greens were third, Liberal Democrats fourth and the Conservative Party was fifth with 86 votes.

Former Reform UK councillor Robert Bloom resigned after being in the position for just three months

Reform's council leader Martin Griffiths told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that Duffy had been "a community champion in Corby for many years".

"Lee shares my ambition to ensure that in the years ahead, North Northamptonshire Council will complete its journey and transformation into an exemplary council that puts families and communities first and foremost, as we roll out and deliver on our brand new corporate plan," he said.

Lee Duffy celebrated his win with Reform UK colleagues and supporters at the count in Kettering

The turnout for the by-election was 22.8%.

The full result was:

• Lee Duffy, Reform UK: 754 votes - 38%

• Geri Cullen, Labour Party: 635 votes - 32%

• Lee Forster, Green Party: 371 votes - 19%

• Alex Lock, Liberal Democrats: 113 votes - 6%

• Paul John Byrne, Conservative Party: 86 votes - 4%

Reform UK has 40 councillors, the Conservatives 13, Greens eight, Labour four, Liberal Democrats one and there are two Independent councillors.