Ian Cooper resigns as leader of Staffordshire County Council amid controversy
Ian Cooper has resigned as leader of Staffordshire County Council after his membership in Reform UK was revoked following an investigation into his social media use. Despite stepping down, he will continue to serve as an independent councillor for Tamworth.
Cooper initially became leader when Reform UK took control of the council from the Conservatives in the May local elections. Following his resignation, Martin Murray, Cooper's deputy, has assumed the role of interim leader, with a permanent replacement to be elected at a full council meeting in the new year.
Reform UK expelled Cooper after party leader Nigel Farage's remarks and claims from Hope Not Hate about racist posts linked to an account associated with Cooper. Further scrutiny revealed his Facebook activity was connected to a white-supremacist page.
In addition, cabinet member for highways Peter Mason issued an apology over past comments concerning Black women and the police. The Conservative opposition has criticized these incidents, stating that they reveal deeper issues of racism and bigotry within Reform UK's Staffordshire branch.
The Conservative opposition insists that Cooper's resignation alone does not address the broader concerns and calls for a thorough examination of other councillors who may hold similar views. They demand full accountability from Reform UK councillors in Staffordshire.
