Reform UK is a 'cult', says suspended councillor

Donna Edmunds was suspended by Reform UK after she stated on social media that she was planning to defect to another party

A newly elected councillor who quit Reform UK after she was suspended over a social media post has described it as a "cult", and accused the party's leader Nigel Farage of treating its members with contempt.

Donna Edmunds, who was elected for Hodnet Ward in Shropshire, was suspended following a post on X about her plans to defect from the party after the local elections.

"I thought I was joining a party. It turned out I had joined a cult," Edmunds said in a statement.

The BBC has approached Reform UK for comment. On Sunday however, its West Midlands regional director Pete Durnell, told BBC Politics Midlands the party had the "best vetting procedure of all the political parties".

On Sunday, Reform UK's West Midlands regional director, Pete Durnell, told BBC Politics Midlands the party has the "best vetting procedure" of any party

With regard to Edmunds' specific case, a spokesperson previously said they would not comment on the details until the party's own investigation into the case had concluded.

On Sunday, Edmunds posted on X she had been suspended from Reform "pending an investigation".

"Why? Because I urged people here on X to lend Reform their support for the short term - for Thursday's elections - even if they felt they couldn't for the long term," she wrote in the post.

"According to head office, 'this has brought the party into disrepute and damaged the interests of the party.'"

Edmunds added the party was brought into disrepute when leadership "unceremoniously ditched" MP Rupert Lowe and that his suspension had "provoked a range of resignations".

Farage 'demands loyalty'

In a statement on Monday, Edmunds described Reform UK as "at war with its own grassroots".

"How else to explain Farage's completely unwarranted attack, yet again on those of us who have been calling for more democracy within the party, made during the VE Day celebrations coverage?" she asked.

She added Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, said he "demands loyalty," but loyalty wasn't "won by demand but by earning it".

Edmunds said she remained loyal to grassroots party members but could not stand silently by "as the cult's leader wages war against them".

"Farage has shown absolutely no loyalty to hundreds of hard working party members across the country, who have dedicated themselves to building Reform up to be an election winning machine," she said.

"On the contrary. he treats them with contempt, regularly casting them aside to be replaced by 'yes men' who are willing to display sycophantic loyalty."