A Reform UK candidate for the upcoming Lincolnshire county council elections has stepped down after admitting to stealing more than £28,000 from a local charity.
Dan Turner was announced as Reform’s candidate for Louth North just last month. However, he pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and abuse of position at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Reform UK has now suspended his party membership. Turner will be sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court at a later date.
£28k Stolen From Youth Charity
Turner previously worked as a manager at the Meridale Youth and Community Centre in Lincolnshire. According to the centre, Turner defrauded the charity of over £28,600, depriving the organisation of vital funds.
In a statement, the charity said Turner’s actions had “delayed or curtailed projects” that would have directly benefited the communities of Sutton-on-Sea, Trusthorpe, and Mablethorpe.
Turner was dismissed from the centre in May 2022 for gross negligence and misconduct linked to misuse of the centre’s IT systems.
Reform UK’s Vetting Problem
Turner’s resignation raises more questions about Reform UK’s candidate vetting process. The party has faced repeated issues with poor candidate choices, including appointing Jack Aaron — who previously praised Hitler and Assad — as head of vetting.
Turner also has ties to Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the former Tory and Reform mayoral candidate for Greater Lincolnshire.
In December 2024, Turner posted a photo with Jenkyns outside a restaurant in Louth, writing:
“Took Andrea Jenkyns to lunch today.”
In another post on X, he said he had known Jenkyns for around 14 years and described her decision to join Reform UK as “an absolutely brilliant move!”
Party Scrambles to Distance Itself
Reform UK has attempted to downplay the scandal by suspending Turner’s membership. However, the damage is done — and critics say it highlights deeper problems with the party’s selection process.
Turner’s sentencing is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
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