Political Fallout: Councillor Exits Role Amid Airport Business Scandal

A Reform UK councillor, Rachel Reed, has made headlines by stepping down as deputy leader of the Doncaster party branch due to her involvement in a controversial airport-related company. Reed co-founded Fly Doncaster (Auxiliary Services) Ltd alongside fellow councillor David Knight, who was recently stripped of the party whip over this issue. The business was established shortly after the council initiated Fly Doncaster to oversee Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) operations.

Both Reed and Knight were part of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC) at the City of Doncaster Council, which reviews decisions made by Mayor Ros Jones and her cabinet, including significant financial decisions regarding the airport’s reopening, with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority approving £160 million for this purpose.

The situation took a turn when Knight faced repercussions for his role in initiating the company, which officials from Reform UK stated was his idea alone. Liaising with local governance, the party acknowledged that the business’s formation was legal but not officially sanctioned by Reform UK. This discrepancy raised concerns about transparency and public trust, leading Reed to resign in an effort to distance the party from controversy. She remains a councillor for Conisbrough ward but has also stepped down as a director of the airline service company.

Following her resignation, Councillor Karl Hughes has been appointed as the new deputy leader of the Doncaster Reform UK branch. Councillor Guy Aston, chair of Reform UK on the City Council, stressed the importance of maintaining focus on the airport project for the benefit of residents while ensuring that activities are conducted with full transparency. Reed’s departure from her leadership role underscores her dedication to the party’s overall mission concerning the airport’s future, while the political landscape continues to evolve in the wake of this issue.