Reform expels councillor over 'inappropriate' posts

A city councillor in Doncaster has been expelled from Reform UK over historic social media posts deemed "unacceptable" by party leaders.

Mark Broadhurst, who had been in post for just four weeks, will sit as an independent councillor after the party's decision to withdraw the whip on Thursday.

Councillor Guy Aston, Reform UK group leader, said the decision was a result of "inappropriate social media activity that does not reflect our values or standards: family, community, country."

A Facebook page belonging to Broadhurst shared a post comparing black Islamic dress to "bin bags", and a now-deleted image which suggested Adolf Hitler would have been a "legend" if he had targeted Muslims.

The Facebook page has since been made private, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Before the City of Doncaster Council annual general meeting last Friday, Mr Aston said the posts were not acceptable and were being investigated by the council.

"Councillors have a certain standard of behaviour. I have to say, I think that probably transgresses that," he said at the time.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for Reform UK said: "The Doncaster Council Reform UK group has removed the whip following the conclusion of an internal investigation into councillor Broadhurst's social media activity."

Before last week's AGM, the Reform UK group opted to not have the councillor represent the party on any authority committees or outside bodies.

Broadhurst, who was recently appointed deputy mayor of Hatfield Town Council, was one of two Reform UK councillors not to receive any appointments.

The posts on Broadhurst's Facebook page were swiftly condemned by Labour councillors in the town ward of Doncaster – the most ethnically diverse in the city.

A statement from councillors Rob Dennis, Majid Khan and Gemma Cobby said: "We firmly express that Islamophobia, as well as all other forms of racism and prejudice, has no place in Doncaster.

"We represent all communities in the ward, not just those who vote for us, and we act in the confidence of our residents, both advocating and representing in their best interests."

The trio extended an open invite to all councillors, including new Reform UK members, offering introductions to leaders of Doncaster's Muslim communities.

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