Reform UK leader Nigel Farage still has confidence in the leadership of Durham County Council as its majority sits on a knife-edge following allegations of 'chaos'.
On a visit to Redcar to discuss potential changes to the pension triple lock with residents, Mr Farage defended the party's leadership in County Durham, which has seen its majority cut to just one since sweeping to power with a landslide win in May last year.
The leader of Durham County Council, Andrew Husband, has also been subjected to allegations of 'bullying', which he denies.
When asked whether he had confidence in Cllr Husband, Mr Farage said: “Yes I do. He has got a good business head and a lot of experience."
“Look, we've got one or two people elected we'd rather didn't get elected,” he said.
Nigel Farage said he had confidence in Durham County Council leader Andrew Husband. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
“It's a new organisation. If I set up a new company and employ 65 people, not all of them will be there at the end of year one or year two.
“That's the situation we're in.
“I'd rather it hadn't happened, but we're okay, and it is still a flagship council.”
Durham County Council leader Andrew Husband. (Image: NEWSQUEST)
Farage 'not worried' about majority
Mr Farage said he was not concerned by councillors leaving the party, arguing that some former Reform members who now sit as independents remain supportive of the administration.
“Actually the majority looks like one, but in fact some who've switched to independent are still firmly with us,” he said.
“So I'm not worried about that.
“Frankly they're in fear of their jobs. You know, being a Reform councillor, I'm afraid some employers don't like it."
In the 18 months since Reform won 65 seats of the 98 on Durham County Council, 16 councillors have resigned, been sacked or defected.
Nigel Farage at O'Gradys Hotel in Redcar. (Image: Stuart Boulton)
Jenrick praises council's record
Reform Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick also sought to play down the significance of councillors quitting the party.
“All political parties, when they have thousands of councillors, have people who resign for whatever reason,” he said.
“When I look at County Durham, I actually see a council that's doing a good job.
“Remember, they've got amongst the lowest increase in council tax of any council in the country. It was 1.99% last time.
“But I also know that the councils here have been run extremely badly for a long time.”
At a cabinet meeting last month four years of maximum council tax rises, job cuts and a greater reliance on artificial intelligence were considered to plug an £83.7 million funding gap at the authority.
(Image: Stuart Boulton)
Majority cut after 18 months
Reform's grip on Durham County Council has weakened significantly since taking control of the authority in May 2025.
Nigel Farage at O'Gradys Hotel in Redcar. (Image: Stuart Boulton)
The latest blow came last week Reform lost councillor Aaron Hillam after he moved away from County Durham and resigned from the authority.
A Durham Reform spokesman said at the time that Mr Hillam was “no longer able to represent his residents to the level he would have liked”.
Ex-Reform UK councillor Aaron Hillam (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)
In September councillors Lyndsey Fox, Nicole Brown and Paul Sexton resigned from Reform UK and chose to sit as independents.
While several former Reform councillors have levelled a series of allegations against the party and its leadership.
(Image: SKY)
Sedgefield councillor Ian Catchpole quit the party after criticising comments allegedly made about mental health in a WhatsApp group.
In his resignation statement, he described the remarks as “utterly appalling” and said it was “wholly unbecoming of elected officials to discuss such sensitive matters in that manner”.
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He added: “I cannot and will not continue to be part of a political group culture that operates in this manner or treats colleagues with such disregard.
Despite the departures, Reform insists Durham remains a flagship authority and has pointed to its record in office.
The party previously dismissed a Sky News investigation into councillors leaving Reform as “misleading and malicious”, arguing that its record at Durham County Council “has been one of success”.