Reform councillor back in party after suspension

Miles DavisDevon political reporter
News imagePlymouth City Council Ben Rowe in a portrait photograph taken by Plymouth City Council. He has brown hair and a beard, and is wearing a pink shirt.Plymouth City Council
Ben Rowe was elected as a councillor for Ham ward in Plymouth City Council

A Reform UK councillor who was suspended from the party over a number of social media posts has been reinstated.

Ben Rowe was elected to the Ham ward in the Plymouth City Council elections in May before he was suspended from the party.

A spokesperson for Reform said Rowe had apologised and been given a final written warning.

Rowe told the BBC he was looking forward to serving the community.

Rowe was suspended from Reform days after being elected after he was accused of making a series of Islamophobic and antisemitic posts on social media.

A party spokesperson said: "Following an internal disciplinary process, Cllr Rowe has been readmitted to the party and issued with a final written warning.

"He has accepted responsibility for his poor online conduct and apologised, and made clear the comments do not reflect his beliefs."

Rowe told the BBC: "I'm happy I've been reinstated.

"I'm very grateful to the people who voted for me and I'm looking forward to serving the people of Ham."

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