Reform UK issues statement after councillor incident

By
November 8, 2026
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Reform UK in Swindon have issued an official statement after one of their former councillors pleaded guilty to a criminal offence.

Councillor Lawrence Davies, 54, who represents the Rodbourne Cheney ward, admitted one criminal charges at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, October 23, after being accused of assault by beating, dangerous driving, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Davies, from Moredon, was also previously charged with failing to stop after a road collision, failing to report that collision, and driving without insurance, but these charges were not mentioned during the hearing on October 23.

While in the dock, he admitted to one count of assault by beating on April 13 this year, but added: “I did not beat anyone, I threw a sweater, I did not make contact.”

The clerk and judge then advised him to only speak to confirm his pleas.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of dangerous driving on Kingsdown Road on April 13 and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice by using fake registration plates on a Peugeot between April 12 and 22.

He is due to stand trial for these charges on July 28 next year.

Davies has been released on unconditional bail until that time.

Councillor Sara Godwin, leader of the Reform UK group in Swindon, has provided an update on his affiliation with the party.

She said: “I can confirm the sequence of events regarding Lawrence Davies’ departure from Reform UK.

“On 26 August 2026 at 11:33am, Lawrence Davies was formally notified of his suspension from Reform UK.

“Approximately an hour later, he went to the press publicly announcing that he had resigned from Reform UK.

“However, at that point, we had received no formal resignation from him.”

“On 27 August 2026 at 3:55pm, following a majority vote of the Reform UK Swindon Council Group, we formally submitted the signed notification of his removal from the group.

“Late that evening, at 9:02pm, as we had still received no formal resignation or direct communication from Lawrence Davies, we considered it appropriate to formally acknowledge and accept his publicly announced resignation rather than leave his membership status unresolved.”

“We therefore emailed him directly confirming that we were treating his public announcement of his resignation from Reform UK (as his resignation).”

Cllr Godwin confirmed that since August 27, Mr Davies has had no affiliation with Reform UK or the Reform UK Swindon Council Group.

She said: “As of 27 August 2026, Lawrence Davies became an Independent councillor on Swindon Borough Council, a position he continues to hold.”

Cllr Godwin said that his public announcement followed his suspension, and his removal from the council group was formally agreed and submitted following a majority vote.

After the hearing on October 23, Davies told the Adver, in relation to his guilty plea to the assault charge: “I’m sorry for my mistake, I have changed and have tried to be more aware of how I act.”

Cllr Davies disputed the fact that he had been suspended from Reform at the time, alleging that he was not aware he had been suspended from the party until after he had resigned.

Swindon Advertiser

Hull rioter who has ‘fascination with fires’ back in court after starting blaze near gas pipe

By
November 8, 2026
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He told Hull Crown Court: ‘You are definitely not going to see me again’


A rioter who has a “fascination with fires” has become one of the first of the jailed troublemakers to end up back in court – after he put the lives of others at risk through starting a blaze near a gas pipe.

Jordan Murray had been released from prison after being jailed for two years in August 2024 following the notorious scenes of rioting in Hull city centre that month.

But he was soon back in trouble and behind bars on remand for four new offences, including two of arson, Hull Crown Court heard. Murray, 28, of Grasby Road, off Holderness Road, east Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, arson, causing criminal damage and possessing cannabis.

Andrew Petterson, prosecuting, said that Murray set fire to three wheelie bins outside a woman’s home in Staines Close, east Hull, before 5am between March 29 and 30. The bins melted – and they were near a gas pipe.

Murray was seen on CCTV pictures. The woman later said that she had been left “scared and afraid to sleep” and that, because the bin fires were near a gas pipe, it was possible that she, her husband, two children and her grandmother could have died if there had been an explosion.

On April 12, Murray smashed the rear window of a Renault Clio car, belonging to a 90-year-old man, in Staines Close between 12.30 and 1am. He walked away but returned and set the vehicle on fire.

The car, valued at £5,000, was written off. The elderly man had bought it several years earlier and he used it to do his shopping but he could no longer do this and someone had to help him.

The same evening, Murray smashed a window of a Peugeot car parked in Staines Close. He was arrested at his home on April 16. Police found a small amount of cannabis and a “distinctive coat” that linked him on CCTV pictures to the offences.

There were videos on his mobile phone of other earlier fires. “They demonstrate that the defendant certainly had an interest in fires,” said Mr Petterson.

Hannah Turner, mitigating, said that Murray had been released from prison on licence after serving the two-year sentence for his role in the rioting. He had been back in custody again on remand since April.

Murray agreed in court that he had a “fascination with fires” but he said that he had, while in custody, received help for his alcohol and drug issues. He assured the court that he would change his ways. “You are definitely not going to see me again,” he said.

Murray was given a three-year suspended prison sentence, with a probation requirement. He was given a five-year restraining order.

At the original rioting sentence hearing in August 2024, the court was told that Murray was part of “mob-handed violence” and looting that broke out in Hull city centre. He was “persistently” in various locations during the trouble.

He was prominent at the front of a group in Jameson Street, running at police with a long metal bench, which he threw towards the line of police.

He behaved aggressively to police throughout and he was present when a garage was targeted in the Milky Way area.

Those at the garage, including children, barricaded themselves inside and were in fear for their safety. Murray had, that day, admitted violent disorder, two offences of burglary at the O2 and Greggs shops, and another offence of possessing cannabis. He had been given a five-year criminal behaviour order.

Hull Daily Mail

Southampton dad jailed after throwing beer can at police

By
November 5, 2026
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A father has been jailed after throwing an empty beer can at police officers during disorder in Southampton.

Kamil Klonek, 38, of Lordswood Road, Southampton, was among a crowd involved in violent disorder in Belmont Road on Tuesday, June 2.

Southampton Crown Court heard how footage showed Klonek at the front of a line of protesters, drinking from a can of beer and gesturing towards Hampshire Constabulary officers.

The disorder came during protests following the murder of 18-year-old University of Southampton student Henry Nowak, with demonstrators gathering over the killing and allegations of two-tier policing.

The court heard Klonek was seen shouting abuse at officers, calling them “traitors”, while encouraging others to get involved in the disorder.

Police drone footage showed Klonek wearing sunglasses, a cap and a grey hoodie. The court heard he made several attempts to conceal his identity by pulling his top over his face.

Prosecutor Matthew Lawson said: “In the footage the defendant can be seen waving his arms in a confrontational manner with clenched fists.

“When police arrested the defendant at his home on June 6 he said he was there but did not throw anything.”

Klonek initially denied the charge of violent disorder, with a trial scheduled for November 30. However, the court heard his defence indicated on October 14 that he had changed his plea.

Defending, Callum Bisson-Simmonds said: “The throw of the can was an underarm toss that landed around six to nine feet away from the police line on Belmont Road.

“The defendant is acting in a way that can be described a drunken buffoonery.

“My client accepts that and is deeply sorry for the way that he acted.

“He disgraced himself by way of his actions and is deeply ashamed.

“Mr Klonek has a child that is soon to reach their first birthday – if he remains in custody he will miss that.

“He came to the UK 15 years ago from Poland.”

Klonek was sentenced to two years and six months behind bars.

Addressing the defendant, Judge William Mosley KC said: “You were near the front of the crowd, you applauded, threw a can and shouted abuse at officer while encouraging others to do the same.”

When he is released from jail, Klonek will be required to wear an electronic tag while on licence.

Daily Echo

Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault

By
November 5, 2026
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Judge says actor and comedian faces ‘significant custodial term’ after being convicted of raping a woman and assaulting three others

Russell Brand has been found guilty of raping a woman and sexually assaulting three others over the course of five years of his showbusiness career.

Brand, 51, was described during his trial as a ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator. He was accused of raping women in a hotel room, in a bar toilet and at his luxury London townhouse. He sexually assaulted women in front of his entourage at their workplaces, including at a radio station and TV studio.

The Hollywood actor turned online influencer was accused of gaslighting his victims after the attacks, and treating women as a “disposable commodity” and a “means to an end” to satisfy his voracious sexual appetite.

Brand stood outside the door of the dock shortly before the jury delivered their verdicts and looked at his wife, Laura, saying: “Laura, I love you.”

Wearing a grey three-piece suit, he appeared to be praying in the dock before he was convicted of four offences on Thursday after a four-week trial at Southwark crown court.

He had pleaded not guilty to three charges of rape, three of sexual assault and one of attempted indecent assault against six women, in allegations spanning 10 years from 1999.

Brand claimed he could not remember some of the incidents and that others had been consensual sexual encounters that had been “reimagined” or “unfavourably reframed” after the publication of sexual misconduct allegations against him in a 2023 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, and Times and Sunday Times reports.

But Brand closed his eyes, as a jury found him guilty of four offences after eight hours and thirty minutes of deliberations.

The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, praised the panel of four women and eight men, and told Brand: “You’ve been convicted of a numbers of offences, including one of rape. The consequence of that is inevitably a significant custodial term. My current view is that I have to therefore remand you in custody.”

He said Brand would be sentenced on Monday.

Brand held his head high and appeared emotionless as he was led away by the dock officers down to the cells.

Brand’s trial heard victims had been haunted by their encounters with the former presenter and that they had “bravely” come forward to the tell “the truth” after realising they were not alone.

The prosecutor, Riel Karmy-Jones KC, said they described a similar pattern of behaviour from the comedian that started with compliments, flattery and flirting before a “personality change”. “His eyes changed, he snapped, from charming to frightening to nasty,” she said.

But Brand’s barrister, Ian Winter KC, denied the TV personality was a “psychopath who rapes people and thinks it’s normal”. He claimed Brand was respectful when women said no and that being “rude or acting like a crazy idiot” during sex is not a crime if there is consent.

In his closing speech on Monday, the barrister also questioned why Brand’s accusers had not screamed, kicked out or slapped Brand when they were raped. “Not one of them resisted or screamed or even tried to leave,” he said.

Det Supt Andy Furphy, from the Met police, praised the “extraordinary courage, resilience and determination” of Brand’s victims. In a statement, he said: “Despite intense media and public scrutiny, they relived deeply personal and traumatic experiences and placed their trust in us. Without their bravery, this outcome would not have been possible.

“Brand used his influence, status and fame to prey on and exploit women. As his profile grew, so too did his sense of entitlement. I hope this conviction sends a clear message that no one is above the law, no matter how famous or powerful they may be.”

He also paid tribute to the “professionalism and determination” of the team of detectives and specialist staff who worked on the high-profile investigation, which attracted widespread international coverage.

“Finally, I would urge anyone who may have been a victim of rape or serious sexual assault to speak to us. You will be listened to, supported and treated with dignity and respect,” he said.

The Guardian

Security guard who protected Nigel Farage on campaign trail was facing rape charge

By
October 30, 2026
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Ryan Dinnage – who accompanied Reform UK leader on walkabouts before local elections – was later jailed, raising questions about vetting failure

Ryan Dinnage, 32, from Croydon, was sentenced in July to more than eight years in prison. Photograph: Thames Valley police

One of Nigel Farage’s security team who accompanied him on the local election campaign trail this year was facing a rape charge and was later jailed for eight years, raising questions about a failure of vetting.

Ryan Dinnage spent time protecting Farage in April and May, but in June was convicted of having raped a woman while she slept in a caravan at the Royal Windsor horse show.

Dinnage was seen beside Farage on walkabouts on at least four occasions on Reform’s local election campaign trail this spring: in Llandudno, Conwy County; Waterlooville, Hampshire, Worthing, West Sussex, and Downham Market, Norfolk.

He had been charged in 2025, three years after the crime took place at the equestrian event in 2022.

Reform UK acknowledged Farage was provided with protection by Dinnage, and said his services had been supplied by a third-party contractor who had assured them he had been vetted.

A spokesperson for the party said: “As soon as we found out, we were shocked and disgusted and he ceased to be used by Reform.”

However, the episode raises questions about how a security operative facing a charge of serious sexual violence could have been put in a position of responsibility near a senior politician and members of the public.

Reform UK did not answer further questions about whether the party was continuing its relationship with the third-party contractor, and whether any action was taken against them.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Nigel Farage must urgently explain at what point Reform UK became aware that they allowed a man charged with rape to directly interact with the public on their behalf. They must also urgently make clear what action they have taken to prevent such a situation happening again.

“Farage and his party are lurching from scandal to scandal and the public are rapidly seeing who they really are. In recent weeks Farage has shrugged off vile misogyny and Reform has an appalling track record when it comes to standing up for women. It’s time Farage showed some leadership for once, got his house in order, and realised the buck stops with him.”

Farage is generally accompanied by a large security team, and has spoken of threats being made against him. The man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe has been charged with engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, including against Farage. Over the summer, counter-terror police reopened a year-long investigation into an alleged firebomb attack at Farage’s home in south London.

The Reform UK leader has repeatedly said he accepted a £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in order to pay for his security for the rest of his life. He has previously turned down taxpayer-funded security from the government, which included a bodyguard, a car, and a trained driver, deeming it to be inadequate.

Dinnage, then 32, of Croydon, was sentenced to eight and half years in prison in July. According to Thames Valley police, his offence took place in the early hours of 16 May 2022, when Dinnage entered the caravan where the victim was sleeping and raped her. He was reported to police later that day and arrested the next day.

Reform is not the only party in the spotlight for a vetting failure in recent weeks. The Conservatives were criticised, by Reform UK, for having employed a former election candidate, Jack Ross, who was filmed by an undercover reporter appearing to discuss the cost of hiring contract killers. Ross had worked as a consultant in Kemi Badenoch’s office.

Ross is facing an investigation by the Tories after he was filmed apparently asking an undercover reporter: “What do you want done?” and apparently offering to “broker” the services of an alleged far-right paramilitary group.

Police in Scotland have said they will be reviewing an Al Jazeera documentary in which Ross was filmed seemingly making a range of comments about what a contract killer could be employed to do, and talked about using far-right groups to create disruption on the streets.

The Guardian

‘Unsurvivable’ punch killed pub boss, court told

By
October 29, 2026
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A pub boss died after an “unsurvivable” punch to the neck, a murder trial has been told.

Matthew O’Gara, who ran The Plough pub in Huddlesford, Staffordshire, died in hospital two days after the incident at the Ricco and Loren bar on Market Street, Lichfield, on 24 May.

Billy Allison, who has admitted manslaughter but denied murder, delivered a “very, very hard” punch with the “stance and skill of an experienced fighter”, the jury at Stafford Crown Court heard.

The 36-year-old also admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm against another man, Adam Cooper, during the incident, but denied doing so intentionally.

The court heard how O’Gara, 44, suffered a “full force” punch which broke several bones in his neck and split an artery which provides blood to the brain. He never regained consciousness after the attack.

“It caused an injury that was unsurvivable,” said prosecuting barrister Tim Hannam KC.

The force with which it landed made a noise loud enough to be heard over the sound system in the bar, he added.

Hannam told the jury Allison, of Cropthorne Road in Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, had been visiting Lichfield with a group of friends including his girlfriend Charlotte Dean and friends Ryan Bridge and Ben Cullen, and had been drinking throughout the day before the attack on the two men, who he did not know.

Cooper, who was part of a group at the bar with O’Gara and others, suffered a fractured eye socket as well as a fractured nose and damage to a dental implant, the court heard.

CCTV footage shown to the court on Wednesday showed Allison take three steps towards Cooper, before striking him twice.

Later footage from a courtyard at the back of the bar shows Cooper receiving help in a wooden shelter and Allison leaving through a gate.

The jury was told how after he left the scene, Allison swapped t-shirts with Cullen, and had tried to pull the top over his head to conceal his face from a camera.

At about 03:00 BST on 25 May, the pair went to a hotel where Cullen was booked to stay, despite Allison being booked into another hotel in the city. He was arrested at 05:00 by police.

The court heard the group they were with had been drinking at various venues around the town from about 15:40 until around 23:20.

Allison, who was described as 6ft 5in (195cm) and “muscular in build”, took cocaine on the day, Hannam said, adding that witnesses had described the group as becoming “increasingly loud and obnoxious”.

Hannam said that at 23:17 O’Gara and Cooper and their group made their way to the small dance floor area in Ricco and Loren, close to where Allison and his group already were.

Allison had a “physically controlled, steady poise” in the moments before the attack the jury was told.

Hannam said Allison came at O’Gara from behind, meaning he was “oblivious” to the impending attack and was therefore unable to defend himself.

Allison subsequently failed to help O’Gara and instead left the bar through a back entrance with Cullen.

He alleged Allison was “thinking rationally” and was “entirely in control” of his actions at the time of the incident, adding that the jury was entitled to consider his size, strength and obvious skill as well as his actions before, during and after incident.

“[O’Gara] died because the defendant decided to punch him as hard as he could in the neck, and he died because of the serious damage caused by that punch,” he said.

“He died because of the serious damage caused by that punch. This, the prosecution say, is not a one-punch manslaughter.”

The trial is expected to last for 10 days.

BBC News

Man admits asylum seeker hotel petrol bomb attack

By
October 29, 2026
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A man has admitted throwing a petrol bomb at a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Islington, north London.

Mark Neville, 65, who pleaded guilty to attempted arson when he appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, was captured on CCTV carrying out the attack at Thistle City Barbican in Dingley Road on 24 September 2025.

The fire was discovered shortly before 23:00 BST and was put out by security guards. It did not cause any injuries.

Det Ch Insp Paul Ridley said the attack was “designed to terrify residents and the local community”, and that Neville had been “motivated by hate.”

Neville was identified on CCTV throwing the petrol bomb at the hotel before returning to the door of his flat on Pear Tree Street.

A London Fire Brigade forensic dog also discovered a glove with Neville’s DNA in a bin close to the hotel.

Police said analysis of his computers showed internet searches on far right activism and asylum seekers.

In a police interview, Neville stated that his friends had often sent him articles about immigration and that he had attended anti-immigration marches, including one outside the hotel he had targeted.

Various CCTV cameras captured Mark Neville leaving the scene of the crime and tracked him walking all the way home to his front door

Neville initially denied petrol bombing the hotel, claiming he was visiting a friend who had been diagnosed with dementia, but after being confronted with the evidence, he admitted he was the person in the footage.

Ridley said his actions could “easily have caused horrific injuries”.

“Police will relentlessly pursue those who seek to cause fear and harm, bringing serious offenders to justice,” he said.

The hotel no longer houses asylum seekers.

Neville pleaded guilty to attempted arson being reckless as to endanger life, possession of a bladed article and possession of a prohibited weapon (a stun gun) in a private place.

He will be sentenced on 8 December.

BBC News

Tommy Robinson found guilty of harassing journalists

By
October 28, 2026
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Daily Mail reporters and their families fled homes after far-right activist targeted them over coverage



The far-right activist Tommy Robinson has been found guilty of harassing two journalists to the point where it caused them fear of violence.

Journalists from the Daily Mail and their family members fled their homes after “bullyboy, intimidatory tactics” were deployed by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, his trial was told.

Robinson had shared pictures of the family of one of the journalists online and said he had “tagged and bagged” all three reporters who worked on an article about the 2024 Southport murders. The charges related to only two of the journalists.

Robinson was found guilty on Wednesday by a jury at Southwark crown court after a week-long trial.

The Guardian

‘My mistake’ – South Tyneside councillor expresses remorse over Jarrow pub altercation

By
October 23, 2026
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A councillor has spoken of his “shame” after being convicted of injuring a Jarrow barman.

A South Tyneside councillor has expressed his regret following an altercation in a Jarrow pub that resulted in a barman being injured.

Cllr Alex Barr, of the Primrose ward, admitted to common assault at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 21.

The 57-year-old appeared in court for throwing a bottle in the Lord Nelson pub, on August 9, which caused a head injury to a staff member.

The councillor, who is from Jarrow, was also attacked during the incident by other customers and has since required extensive medical treatment.

‘I lost control and it’s my mistake’

In the days after the incident, Cllr Barr voluntarily resigned from South Tyneside’s Reform UK group and has now expressed remorse for his actions following the conclusion of legal proceedings against him.

He said: “I had too much to drink, I lost control and it’s my mistake – I wanted to reach to out to the guy in the bar straight away but wasn’t able to due to the legal process.

“What I did was wrong and he shouldn’t have got injured, I threw the bottle at the bar and unfortunately it hit him.

“Some people think I’ve gone and smashed a bottle over his head, which isn’t true – I know that I shouldn’t have done what I did.

“The whole thing was caught on CCTV so when I was shown the video in the police interview, I was embarrassed and know that I’ve brought shame to myself and family.

“I’m not playing the victim here but I was taken to hospital in an ambulance and have since had no less than 15 appointments, as well as surgery to fit a metal plate in my eye socket.

“I’ve been told I need further surgery and could have permanent disfigurement.

“My family has been harassed and I’ve just had to take it on the chin.

“At the end of the day, I made a mistake and the whole thing has been a very unfortunate affair.”

Embracing political life

Cllr Barr also highlighted that he stepped back from Reform to ensure that he could focus on helping his constituents and his given an insight into the future of his political life.

He added: “I didn’t expect to be elected but I was over the moon and I’ve embraced it wholeheartedly.

“I’ve been accused of working away and not being there for my constituents so I want to clarify that I’ve not worked away for 15 months.

“I’ve had other parties having a go at me and the pressure has been incessant, yet they are the same parties who accused the wider media of leading to the death of Jason Arday – there has been a lot of hypocrisy.

“It was my choice to leave Reform – I needed to leave the committees and other duties so I could focus on the council’s enquiry system.

“I’ve continued to do my bit with the council and support residents via the online system throughout of all of this.

“I haven’t stepped away from my constituents but I am going to dust myself down and make a decision on my future.

“I’m 50/50 and there are still a few little challenges to get through but at the moment, I remain as an independent councillor.”

Shields Gazette

Teen who ‘made terrorism manifesto’ admits charges

By
October 23, 2026
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A teenager who wrote his own terrorism manifesto and is accused of stirring up racial hatred against Jewish people and foreigners has pleaded guilty to 12 terrorism offences.

Damien Woolfenden, 18, formerly of Bury, admitted posting Christchurch attacker Brenton Tarrant’s live-streamed video of the 2019 killings on to the self-described “pro-white” platform White Pilled TV.

He also posted the manifesto of far-right terrorist Andres Breivik, who killed 77 people in two attacks in Norway in 2011, on to a Telegram group.

Woolfenden pleaded guilty to other charges of disseminating terrorist material, as well as possessing publications useful for terrorism, including the Anarchist’s Cookbook.

During the hearing at the Old Bailey it emerged that Woolfenden had written his own terrorist manifesto in which he said he would “wait until after an election in 2028”.

Remanding the 18-year-old in custody for pre-sentence reports to be compiled, Judge Cheema Grubb said she had seen “mindset material by the defendant which seems to advocate violence against groups”.

She told Woolfenden she was “concerned about you and what you were thinking and writing about”.

He has been scheduled to be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on 4 December.

BBC News