A Plymouth Reform UK councillor has been suspended from the party just days after winning his seat.
A spokesperson for Reform UK confirmed to Plymouth Plus this evening that Cllr Ben Rowe has been "suspended pending an investigation".
The suspension follows historic social media posts allegedly shared by Cllr Rowe, including posts said to contain Islamophobic content.
Cllr Rowe was elected to represent Ham ward in last week’s local elections, receiving 1,649 votes as Reform UK made major gains across Plymouth.
The party won 14 of the 19 seats being contested, becoming the second largest group on Plymouth City Council.
Cllr Rowe was not present at the Council House today as newly elected councillors formally took office by signing their declarations.
He was also not present at the election count when the Ham ward result was declared.
It is currently unknown whether he will accept his role on Plymouth City Council.
UK law means the suspension does not remove him from office, and that he remains an elected councillor unless he does not formally accept the role, resigns, or is otherwise disqualified from office.
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