A Reform UK councillor who was accused of making racist social media posts has resigned from his elected positions just days after he was voted in.
Stuart Prior was elected last week as a Reform UK councillor for Essex County Council and for Rochford District Council.
Prior, who denied making racist posts when approached by the Daily Mirror newspaper, had previously been accused by campaign group Hope Not Hate of describing white people as “the master race” and suggesting white people have “larger brains”.
A Reform UK source said on Monday: “Stuart Prior informed us that he was resigning from his elected positions for personal reasons.
“We have also revoked his Reform UK membership.”
Mr Prior had been elected to the Rayleigh West division for Essex County Council and to the Sweyne Park and Grange ward for Rochford District Council, both with about 40 per cent of the vote.
Reform UK won control of Essex County Council from the Conservatives on Friday, securing 53 of the 78 seats up for election.
An Essex County Council spokesperson said: “We have had confirmation that the successful candidate for Rayleigh West has resigned from their position as a county councillor.
“We also understand they have resigned from their role as a councillor for Rochford District Council.
“Officers from both authorities will work together to coordinate by-elections, with arrangements communicated to residents as soon as possible.”
A spokesperson from Rochford District Council also confirmed this was the case.
