The councillor has been left shaken up following the alleged incident on Tuesday night
Jordan Tarrant-Short, Reform councillor for Balderstone and Kirkholt, Rochdale(Image: LDRS)
Rochdale’s only Reform councillor says he was subjected to a terrifying attack.
Coun Jordan Tarrant-Short says he was ‘repeatedly punched in the head’ on Tuesday night (June 24), in what he believes to be a politically-motivated assault.
The Balderstone and Kirklholt representative was left shaken by the incident, which left him with swelling and light bruising to the head.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed officers are investigating reports of an assault on Bury Street in Heywood.
Speaking after the incident, Coun Tarrant-Short said: “I was attacked by a member of the public that wasn’t happy I was a member of Reform UK, which resulted in him punching me repeatedly in the head.
“In my opinion this was a politically motivated attack. The matter is now with the police for them to investigate and don’t wish to comment further until the police have concluded their investigation.”
Coun Tarrant-Short became Reform’s second elected Greater Manchester councillor after taking the Balderstone and Kirkholt seat. He now sits on Rochdale Council following his victory at the council by-election in May.
A GMP spokesperson said: “Police are investigating an assault that is alleged to have occurred on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at premises on Bury Street in Heywood.
“We are gathering CCTV evidence and testimonies as we look to determine the circumstances around the incident reported.”