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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Josh Halliday North of England editor

Reform UK councillor suspended over WhatsApp group featuring extremist posts

A close-up of a rosette badge on the jacket of a supporter of Reform UK
Nigel Farage’s party confirmed to the Guardian that Pickup had been suspended on Wednesday pending an investigation. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

A Reform UK councillor has been suspended for participating in a WhatsApp group where members allegedly called for a “mass Islam genocide”.

Tom Pickup, who was elected to Lancashire county council in May, confirmed to the Guardian he was a member of the group set up by a rightwing activist.

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