Reform UK has expelled Devon County Councillor Ed Hill after he sent a public letter on free school meals using the names of fellow councillors without their consent.
Hill, who represents Pinhoe and Mincinglake, had contacted MPs and the media urging support for automatic enrolment for free school meals, listing the names of other Reform Devon councillors in the letter.
The party stated that Hill’s actions undermined the interests of Reform UK and breached internal protocols by using colleagues’ names without formal approval. Party officials emphasised that such conduct would not be tolerated.
In response, Hill claimed the incident was a misunderstanding and that he believed he had received approval through a fellow councillor.
He criticised the decision as disproportionate and said no one from the party had contacted him prior to the suspension. Despite his removal, Hill expressed continued support for Reform UK’s principles.
This is not the first internal dispute involving Hill. In June, he reported two fellow Reform councillors to the police over concerns about election expense declarations. The incident led to his earlier removal as chairman of the Exeter branch of the party.
Reform UK’s leadership has confirmed that no action will be taken against Neil Stevens, the councillor for Alphington and Cowick, in relation to the expenses matter. Devon and Cornwall Police have stated that investigations are ongoing, with no arrests or charges made at this time.
Michael Fife Cook, leader of the Reform group on Devon County Council, which currently has 17 members, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to maintaining ethical standards and internal discipline.
