A Reform UK councillor in Kent will face no formal disciplinary action despite being accused of threatening to punch a fellow councillor "right in the jaw". The decision by Kent County Council (KCC) has sparked significant criticism from opposition leaders who branded the ruling disappointing and concerning.
The Threat and the Complaint
The controversy centres on a message sent by Kent County Councillor Peter Osborne in a WhatsApp group containing dozens of councillors last autumn. In the message, which was seen by the Press Association, Mr Osborne wrote: "I’m hoping this mole is a bloke so I can punch him right in the jaw."
The alleged threat emerged in the wake of a leaked video showing KCC leader and fellow Reform member Linden Kemkaran shouting and swearing at other party councillors. A formal complaint was subsequently lodged against Mr Osborne, signed by the leaders of the Liberal Democrat, Green, Labour, Conservative, and Independent Reformers groups on the council.
They accused him of breaching the authority’s councillor code of conduct by carrying out an act of harassment or bullying, which includes "intimidating behaviour". The complaint argued the message created a clear risk of a hostile or intimidating environment for other members.
Council's Decision and Reaction
However, KCC has decided to take no further action. An email seen by the Press Association confirms the council's position. It is understood that KCC did not believe the remark was serious enough to warrant action and did not consider Mr Osborne to have been acting in his capacity as a councillor when he sent the private message.
The council also told complainants that nothing would be gained from further action as the incident was already in the public domain. In November, KentOnline reported that Mr Osborne said his message was sent in "frustration" rather than "malice", though he admitted there was "never an excuse" for violence.
Reform UK itself dismissed the complaint as "vexatious". This stance has been labelled hypocritical by former party members, who point out that seven Reform councillors were allegedly expelled from the party for other WhatsApp communications following the same leaked video involving Cllr Kemkaran.
Hypocrisy Claims and Lasting Concerns
Bill Barrett, now leader of the Independent Reformers Group, expressed deep concern over the dismissal of the case. "Apparently a councillor can say anything threatening or insulting they like on internal political WhatsApp groups and there is no sanction," he said.
He added: "I also find it incredibly hypocritical of Reform UK at KCC who expelled seven members of their own party for WhatsApp Messages and the like that weren’t threatening or with physical threats attached."
Antony Hook, the Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition at KCC, stated: "Many people will be disappointed with the decision. I disagree with the reasons given and in my view it is unacceptable for a councillor to tell their colleagues that they want to punch one of them."
A spokesperson for KCC declined to comment on the specifics, stating: "Matters relating to any individual Member Code of Conduct complaints are not discussed with the public." Reform UK also declined to provide further comment on the matter.
