The head of Reform UK’s leading local authority has informed fellow council members that she is searching for those responsible for leaking a recorded discussion in which she stated that dissenters would have to "fucking suck it up."
Tensions within Reform’s Kent county council, one of 10 under the party's control, were exposed after a video of a contentious internal meeting was shared with CuriosityNews.
In the footage, council members are heard criticizing persistent infighting and feeling sidelined by their leader, Linden Kemkaran, who warns they would face repercussions and undermine Reform’s general election prospects if Kent’s budget is not stabilized.
The recording, revealing internal party dynamics, captures Kemkaran dismissing colleagues before threatening to mute them—reminiscent of the widely circulated "Jackie Weaver" parish council clip from 2021.
Following the release of the video, Kemkaran sent a message to fellow council members announcing an inquiry into the leak, adding that she had shared her suspicions regarding those behind "this betrayal" with the party’s central office.
"To have individuals among us, who pretend camaraderie only to betray us, is deeply disappointing," she wrote.
"Those responsible are cowards. They lack strength and judgment. Unable to act with integrity, they instead target those who do. Their self-interest undermines collective progress.
"They cannot handle their own shortcomings, so they try to drag others down."
She continued, "A full investigation is underway, and those found guilty will be immediately removed from Reform. Their political careers will be over."
However, Kemkaran faced scrutiny on Sunday over remarks in the August meeting, where she claimed other Kent council leaders disliked her because of her gender.
In response, Medway council’s leader stated he would seek clarification, rejecting her claims as baseless.
"To imply my criticism is because she is a woman is absurd," said Vince Maple, Medway’s Labour leader. He emphasized that Kent councils have collaborated effectively on local government reforms, contradicting her assertions.
In the leaked video, Kemkaran criticized fellow Kent leaders for what she called a lack of understanding of reform proposals and suggested gender bias influenced their attitude toward her.
Read next
Rich Britons fleeing Gulf conflict skip the UK to dodge tax bills
Wealthy Britons escaping conflict in the Gulf are looking for refuge in places such as Ireland and France to sidestep large tax charges at home.
Facing possible claims from HM Revenue and Customs, high‑net‑worth individuals who have been residing in the United Arab Emirates and nearby states hope
Home Office reverses policy, allowing certain dual nationals to enter the UK with an EU passport.
British dual nationals who are EU citizens with post‑Brexit settlement status in the UK will no longer need a British passport to re‑enter the country, the Home Office announced, overturning its earlier dual‑national border policy.
The amendment, which critics described as “buried” on a government website, appears
Hereditary Lords set to lose their seats in the House of Lords
Hereditary titles will be ended before the forthcoming monarch’s address after an agreement was reached to award life peerages to certain Conservatives and cross‑benchers who would otherwise lose their places.
On Tuesday night the upper chamber approved the final version of the House of Lords (hereditary peers) Bill,