Reform council leader stands by colleagues over X posts

The Reform UK leader of West Northamptonshire Council has stood by two councillors criticised for posts on social media.

Newly elected Ivan Dabbs was criticised by an MP for "disrespectful" comments online about King Charles III, while Ron Firman came under fire for posts made in 2017 and 2018.

Mark Arnull, who was appointed leader last week, said he was "looking forward to them joining the administration".

Reform UK took political control of the authority after winning 42 seats in the recent local elections.

Dabbs, elected for Reform in Deanshanger and Paulerspury, made comments on X about the king and monarchy - the tweet received several reposts from Britain First.

Labour MP for Northampton South Mike Reader said the councillor had "repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country".

Arnull said that Dabbs "got quite close to the line, but I don't believe he did cross the line".

Firman also came under fire for old tweets that were called offensive, sexist and racist.

At the time, he was reminded of the code of conduct by East Hunsbury Parish Council, where he sat as a councillor.

Arnull said: "The information on [Mr Firman] was in the public domain and he was duly elected."

He added he had "spoken to" both councillors and he was "happy to have them as part of my administration".

Since the elections, the council is now made up of 42 Reform councillors, 17 Conservatives, nine Labour, six Liberal Democrats and two Independent councillors.

The Tories had been in control of the council since the first elections for the authority in 2021, but lost control to reform in the elections earlier this month.

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