Council 'aware' of Reform resignation rumours
PA Media/Owen HumphreysA local authority has addressed rumours that a number of its newly elected Reform UK councillors will not be able to continue in their roles.
It has been claimed that the future of several recent incumbents at Durham County Council is in doubt due to them already holding down jobs within the council itself.
National legislation specifies that council employees are disqualified from standing for election to serve their communities.
A spokesperson for Durham County Council (DCC) said it was "aware of a small number of allegations" but did not confirm the identity of the individuals concerned.
Reform UK swept to victory in County Durham's local elections earlier this month, winning 65 seats and gaining overall control of the council.
However, by-elections have already been triggered elsewhere in England due to other Reform councillors resigning their roles just days after being elected.
The party has been contacted for comment regarding the situation in the North East.
A DCC spokesperson explained that in standing for election each candidate was responsible for signing a declaration that they met all the necessary statutory requirements to be able to stand.
"If an employee was elected they are not automatically disqualified from taking their seat, but they must resign from their employment in order to continue to be a councillor," they told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The spokesperson added their election could then be "susceptible to legal challenge by way of an election petition".
"This would need to be brought by another candidate or four electors in the relevant electoral division within the relevant time periods as set out in the legislation and associated guidance."
Speaking in County Durham after the election last Friday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "Most of our councillors are complete political virgins, but there are a few old lags in there.
"We have got a big political job of work to do – and a big responsibility."