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Two Reform councillors suspended in a week

Jessica UreEssex
Getty Images Thompson wears blue waistcoat, blue tie, white shirt and blue Reform UK rosette and stands smiling slightly in front of a building with white windows and walls and brown doors.Getty Images
Bradley Thompson represents people in Clacton on Essex County Council and Tendring District Council

Two Reform UK councillors in Essex have been suspended within a week, according to statements released by the party.

Bradley Thompson was suspended "following several serious and well-documented allegations of misconduct" on Wednesday, and Chris Perera was suspended on 17 September after an investigation found "he damaged the party's interests", its spokesperson said.

The BBC has approached both Thompson and Perera for comment.

Thompson won his seat in May and was pictured attending a polling station in Jaywick with the national party leader, Nigel Farage, on polling day. Perea also won his seat that same month.

Getty Images Thompson wears blue waistcoat, blue tie, white shirt and blue Reform UK rosette and stands next to Nigel Farage who wears a blue suit, white shirt, red tie, dark glasses. Thompson and Farage are smiling and standing in front of a building with white windows and walls and brown doors.Getty Images
Nigel Farage joined Bradley Thompson at a polling station in Jaywick on 7 May

Thompson currently represents Clacton West and St Osyth ward for Essex County Council, and West Clacton & Jaywick Sands for Tendring District Council.

A Reform spokesperson said: "Councillor Bradley Thompson has been suspended from Reform UK following several serious and well-documented allegations of misconduct."

Tendring District Council said Thompson "had served notice that he no longer wishes to be treated as a member of the Reform UK Group for the purposes of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989".

Essex County Council told the BBC: "We've been notified by the Reform UK group that councillor Thompson is no longer a member of that group.

"He will still be sitting as an independent councillor. We do not know the details of why he was suspended from the party."

Perera is now sitting as an independent councillor on Essex County Council, representing Mersea and Tiptree.

A Reform spokesperson said: "Following an investigation, councillor Perera was suspended from Reform UK after it was found that he damaged the party's interests."

Essex County Council confirmed in a statement: "Chris Perera remains a county councillor but is also sitting as an independent."

Reform won control of Essex County Council in the 2026 elections, taking 53 seats. The party ended the Conservatives' 25-year reign at the local authority.

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