Nigel Farage has claimed that the 10 Reform councillors who quit in protest over his "autocratic" leadership were proposed by a "rogue branch" of the party.
to lead the party.
by anybody.
The group of councillors stated that Reform was being governed "in an increasingly autocratic manner" and had lost its sense of direction.
None of the councillors who resigned prior to the Reform party's South East of England conference, one of a series of regional gatherings designed to grow the party's base, had "cleared vetting".
"We've got a rogue member whose nomination has been challenged and I think many candidates will have to be elected again in the intervening time, because their nominations weren't legitimate, he said.
Reeves insists that budget is "non-negotiable" on China trip
The statement from the Amber Valley group criticised Reform's focus on recruiting former Conservative councillors rather than the grassroots.
"This movement away from the party's original principles and values is causing widespread concern," it said.
Zia Yusuf, the chairman of Reform UK, stated on X that the leader of the rebel group, Alex Stevenson, had been suspended following the nomination of candidates who failed to pass vetting in December.
He claims that many of those who had quit alongside Mr Stevenson are, in essence, "illegitimate", and fresh elections should be held.
Mr Stevenson confirmed to Sky News that he had been suspended, saying the reason was due to an internal conflict within the party.
The dispute could create problems for Mr Farage as he aims to make gains in the local elections in May.
