Fury as Reform UK in Gosport call a by-election soon after sitting councillor dies

Gosport councillors said they are furious and “disgusted” at the “disrespectful behaviour” of Reform UK for calling an election just hours after a councillor’s death was announed.

Liberal Democrat Bob Maynard, who had been Bridgemary’s ward councillor since May 2022 for Gosport Borough Council, died suddenly at the weekend.  

Members of a policy and organisation board meeting on November 26 heard that, within hours of his death and before it was officially announced by the council on Tuesday, Reform UK had already called for the by-election to replace him.

But Reform UK has hit back, saying the news was announced in a Liberal Democrat campaign leaflet before it was officially announced by the council.

Council leader Peter Chegwyn said: “Less than 72 hours after Cllr Maynard died, Reform UK Gosport called a by-election to replace him. Even before the official notice was issued by this council. I think that is absolutely disgraceful.”  

He said: “While we don’t always agree on this council, we show respect to someone when they’ve died. You don’t call an election until at least the funeral.

“You show respect and decency. That’s always been a rule all parties have agreed on. It’s deplorable that Reform UK rushed ahead on that.”  

Fellow Bridgemary ward councillor, Steve Hammond (Lib Dem), said a post made by Reform UK Gosport on Facebook had caused more distress to Cllr Maynard’s widow, Lizzie.  

Cllr Hammond said: “It’s disgusting and disrespectful. She doesn’t even know the cause of death yet. Lizzie is devastated, heartbroken and disgusted at what is going on.”  

After the meeting, Paul Carter of Reform UK Gosport said he was disappointed at his party being criticised.

Mr Carter said: “Let me be absolutely clear: we acted properly, within the rules, and with full respect for the situation.

“It would have been both sensible and respectful for the Lib Dem Leader to inform us immediately of Cllr Maynard’s passing and of any local pressures surrounding the situation. Instead, he chose not to.

“I have written a letter directly to Cllr Chegwyn expressing our condolences on this very sad news, and making it clear that using this tragedy for his party’s political gain is unacceptable.”

He said the news of Cllr Maynard’s death was posted in the newsletter before it was announced officially, and that to “criticise others while engaging in that behaviour is, frankly, outrageous”.

Cllr Steve Hammond explained at the meeting that the newsletter was already going out and involved a tweak to the copy. Mrs Maynard was receiving letters to her husband asking for help, which was causing distress. 

Cllr Hammond said it was expedient to add the notice of the death to the newsletter as it was about to be circulated.   

Cllr Chegwyn said that tributes will be paid to Cllr Maynard at a full council meeting on December 11, when his widow, Lizzie Maynard, will be present to hear from the members.