Richard Price,West Midlandsand
Jennie Aitken,Staffordshire political reporter
A council leader whose membership of Reform UK was revoked after an investigation into his social media use has resigned.
Ian Cooper took charge of Staffordshire County Council after May’s local elections, when his party won control from the Conservatives.
Although he has quit as leader, Cooper will remain an independent councillor in Tamworth.
Posts at the centre of complaints about him included one making reference to then foreign secretary David Lammy, which stated “no foreign national or first generation migrant should be allowed to sit in Parliament”.
The has approached Cooper for comment.
Reform UK kicked Cooper out last week after its national leader, Nigel Farage, had said the party’s investigation did “not look good” for the council leader.
His removal came after activist group Hope Not Hate claimed to have found racist posts on an account on X claimed to be linked to the council leader.
His alleged activity on Facebook also came under scrutiny after the Reform UK Exposed X account claimed he was a top fan of a page called The European Race, which promotes white supremacy.
A top fan is someone who has high engagement with a Facebook page.
Martin Murray, who was Cooper’s deputy, will assume the role of leader on an interim basis.
It is expected that the authority will choose a new permanent leader at a full council meeting in the new year.
Staffordshire County Council“I recognise that these are challenging circumstances and the strength of feeling surrounding recent events,” Murray said.
“Let me assure you that my commitment to deliver plans for a better Staffordshire remains absolute, and to represent all residents fairly and with respect.
“My first and foremost priority is to ensure that Staffordshire County Council services continue without hinderance and to showcase Staffordshire as a fantastic county to live, visit and invest.”
A spokesperson for the Conservative opposition on the council said: “Ian Cooper’s resignation on its own does nothing to address the issues with racism and bigotry in Reform UK’s Staffordshire branch.
“The new interim leader Martin Murray must clear out any other councillors with similar views, starting with Peter Mason.”
They added: “There has been a deafening silence from all Reform UK councillors in Staffordshire about this issue and they should not think that Cooper’s resignation means they can all move on from this.
“We need to hear from every councillor in Staffordshire whether they support these bigoted views or condemn them.”