Reform suspends ousted county council leader

A former Reform UK council leader has been suspended by her party, it has been confirmed.

Jo Monk, who previously led Worcestershire County Council, has been suspended for "refusing to accept the democratic decision of the Reform UK group".

Fellow councillors removed her as group leader last month, replacing her with former Conservative MP Alan Amos.

Her son and fellow councillor, Ashley, has also been suspended for reportedly bringing the party into disrepute. Ms Monk told the BBC she would not comment until Thursday's council meeting.

When Jo Monk lost a vote among the party's councillors in April, her successor said he wanted to "be the first to thank Jo Monk for the hard work she's done", adding that they had "inherited a mess from the Conservatives".

A row erupted after the election, with Ashley Monk criticising the decision and the new leader on social media.

The ex-leader's time in office was marked by controversy, with council tax going up 9% and the authority needing £59.9m in emergency government help to avoid effective bankruptcy.

She is still formally leader of the county council itself, despite being kicked out as group leader.

Amos cannot take over as leader of Worcestershire County Council until Thursday, when the next full meeting takes place.

Reform is the largest group on the authority, but does not have a majority.

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