Reform UK has expelled Kent County councillor Isabella Kemp following an internal investigation into the leak of a video showing the party’s local leader swearing during a virtual meeting.
Kemp, who was initially suspended, was removed from the party after Reform said it found she had created a WhatsApp group where making a screen recording of the meeting was discussed, and had encouraged a colleague to be dishonest about a no-confidence vote.
Kemp rejected the allegations, insisting she had done nothing wrong and had even offered to hand over her phone and laptop for forensic examination, an offer she said the party declined.
She argued that the expulsions targeted councillors who had previously raised concerns about the council’s operations. “My commitment to integrity and transparency has clearly come at a cost,” she said.
The leaked video, published by the media, captured KCC Reform leader Linden Kemkaran swearing, shouting, and telling party members to “suck it up” over her decisions. Despite calls for accountability from some councillors, she has refused to resign and continues to enjoy the full support of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who said he backed her “100%”.
Another councillor, Maxine Fothergill, was also expelled after initially being suspended over suspected involvement in the leak. Reform said it found insufficient evidence linking her to the recording but removed her for failing to disclose a serious matter during vetting.
Fothergill dismissed the explanation as baseless, claiming her expulsion followed her whistleblowing about how local government reorganisation was being handled. She accused the party of violating its own constitution by acting without a hearing or evidence and said she would be “taking action” against Reform.
Reform UK took control of Kent County Council in May after winning 57 of 81 seats and ending three decades of Conservative dominance. Since then, internal turmoil has led to the loss of nine councillors, leaving the party with 48 representatives.
