Reform councillor quits party as row erupts over alleged missing funds

A row has erupted at Reform-led North East Lincolnshire Council over allegations of misconduct and missing Christmas party funds.

Tanya Brasted, who represents the West Marsh ward, quit the party this week after she was sacked from cabinet following accusations of financial mismanagement.

The council’s Reform leader, Oliver Freeston, who was elected in May, said he had “lost trust and confidence” in Ms Brasted and raised concerns about her conduct before her resigned.

Mr Freeston said questions had surfaced within the council around finances from a Reform Christmas Ball, which was organised by Ms Brasted, and alleged she had attempted to stop the investigation.

“We were told it had made a profit, then later that there was none. That discrepancy required investigation,” he said.

The leader also alleged that Ms Brasted had conspired to secretly record a private group meeting.

She has “categorically rejected” all allegations made against her and insisted she had “nothing to hide.”

It comes after Mr Freeston said she responded to the investigation with “a formal letter-before-action that appeared to have been generated by ChatGPT.

“I saw this as an attempt to stop the financial inquiry,” he added.

“At one point, I was also told, in substance, that any legal action would be dropped if I agreed to stop investigating the secret recording.

“I refused to back down. I will not compromise the integrity of my group over threats of a speculative defamation claim simply for raising legitimate concerns shared by others.”

Ms Brasted, who remains on the council as an independent, told The Independent: “I categorically reject any suggestion of financial impropriety in relation to the Christmas Ball, and I strongly reject any suggestion that I attempted to prevent any legitimate investigation into its finances.

“I have never had anything to hide and I am entirely comfortable with the finances being properly and independently examined.

“The Christmas event was organised in good faith and involved a considerable amount of work. Once those expenses were accounted for, the actual surplus was considerably smaller than expected.

“I was not provided with any policies or protocols regarding how the event should be run by the local or national branch and I emphatically deny any dishonesty or misappropriation of funds.”

She also rejected Mr Freeston's claim that she conspired to secretly record a private meeting, saying she was on holiday at the time of the meeting in question.

Ms Brasted added: “I requested another councillor to make me aware of what, if anything, was said about me and matters concerning the branch in my absence. I did not orchestrate, arrange or conspire with anybody to secretly record that meeting. That person chose to record the meeting themselves.

“My reputation locally has been built over decades and I wish to protect my personal and professional reputation. I am concerned about the serious allegations which are impacting my integrity before any fair process has been undertaken and reached a conclusion. I have nothing to hide and I will clear my name.”