Durham councillors Andrew Harrison and Kenny Hope say they have stood down from the party after they were suspended by Reform
10:18, 16 May 2026Updated 10:19, 16 May 2026
Councillor Andrew Harrison has quit the Reform party(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Two Durham councillors have quit Reform UK after being suspended by Durham County Council. Coun Andrew Harrison, who represents Seaham, and Coun Kenny Hope, who represents Delves Lane, were suspended pending investigation on Monday.
In a statement on Facebook, Coun Harrison said that he had stood down due to “unreconcilable differences” with the local authority’s leadership. He added in his statement that he would “not go into any further detail,” but he had “not had any complaints disclosed to me”.
Reform UK told ChronicleLive that Coun Harrison had been suspended on the back of his company, Churchills Management Ltd, receiving a £40,000 fine in February last year over employing an illegal worker. Mr Harrison said at the time that his enterprise was “fully compliant” with the necessary documentation.
A spokesperson for Reform UK said: “Andrew and Kenny were suspended from Reform UK pending investigation on Monday morning, so not quite sure what they’re resigning from. With regard to Andrew, his suspension was as a result of the fine his company received over employing an illegal worker among other things.”
Darren Grimes, deputy leader of Durham County Council, confirmed that both councillors have left the Reform Group after being suspended pending investigation. He added: “My understanding is that they have not left the council.”
Councillors Harrison and Hope were elected in May 2025 in a landslide victory for Reform in County Durham. 65 councillors were elected initially, with 58 still in post.
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