'Captain chaos' council's a 'threat to public safety'

UNION HITS OUT AT REFORM'S 'FLAGSHIP' AUTHORITY AFTER SUSPENSIONS

- By STANLEY MURPHY-JOHNS

A UNION has branded the leader of the “flagship” Reform UK council as “captain chaos” after councillor suspensions created a “threat to public safety”.

Reform UK took control of Kent County Council (KCC) in May, winning 57 of the 81 seats, but they now sit with 48 councillors after a string of suspensions and removals.

The affected councillors include the chair and vice-chair of the Kent and Medway Fire Authority which has left it in “disarray, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said.

Former chairman of the Fire Authority Brian Black, along with Robert Ford, Paul Thomas and Oliver Bradshaw, have all been kicked out of Reform UK.

Isabella Kemp, who was vice-chair, was suspended last week ahead of a full council meeting.

Steve Wright, the FBU general secretary, called for the KCC administration to “get a grip” of the structures which appear to have broken down.