Reform UK Suspends Former Council Leader
A former Reform UK council leader has been suspended by her party, it has been confirmed.
Jo Monk, who previously led Worcestershire County Council, has been suspended for "refusing to accept the democratic decision of the Reform UK group".
Fellow councillors removed her as group leader last month, replacing her with former Conservative MP Alan Amos.
Her son and fellow councillor, Ashley Monk, has also been suspended for reportedly bringing the party into disrepute. Ms Monk told the BBC she would not comment until Thursday's council meeting.
Leadership Change and Reactions
When Jo Monk lost a vote among the party's councillors in April, her successor said he wanted to
"be the first to thank Jo Monk for the hard work she's done"
adding that they had
"inherited a mess from the Conservatives".
A row erupted after the election, with Ashley Monk criticising the decision and the new leader on social media.
Controversies During Tenure
The ex-leader's time in office was marked by controversy, with council tax increasing by 9% and the authority requiring £59.9m in emergency government assistance to avoid effective bankruptcy.
Despite being removed as group leader, she remains formally the leader of the county council itself.
Alan Amos cannot assume the role of leader of Worcestershire County Council until Thursday, when the next full council meeting takes place.
Reform UK is the largest group on the authority but does not hold a majority.
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