Reform UK’s Richard Tice has defended the party amid a heated debate with GB News’ Nana Akua over the suspension of four Kent County Council councillors.

The councillors Paul Thomas, Oliver Bradshaw, Bill Barrett and Maxine Fothergrill had the party whip suspended after a video emerged showing tense exchanges in a virtual council meeting, with KCC leader Linden Kemkaran swearing at colleagues and telling them to “suck it up” over her decisions.

Richard Tice: “Occasionally, when you’re in tense business meetings, that’s what happens. You’re under pressure, you’re trying to save hundreds of millions of pounds for taxpayers.

“So yes, you’ll be pretty robust with each other. You’ll challenge, you’ll test, you’ll probe — and that’s the right thing to do

“You do it privately, quietly, and okay — occasionally someone uses a swear word. So what? This is called real life.”

Nana hit back: “Yeah, it’s a bit childish really. It feels a little inexperienced, a bit unprofessional.”

Richard Tice: “Look, let me tell you, I’ve led billion-pound businesses. And guess what? Occasionally in management meetings, you get the odd swear word, a bit of tension.

“That’s how you make progress. That’s how you challenge, push, check and prove.

“You arrive at a solution. It’s not unprofessional, it’s working hard, rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in. People need to stop being so petty and politically correct about this stuff.

“The country’s sick of all this twaddle. People want action, not ‘nicey nicey’. Stop worrying about upsetting everyone.”

The move followed the leak of a heated virtual council meeting. Footage showed KCC leader Linden Kemkaran swearing at colleagues.

She told party members to “suck it up” over her decisions. The clip sparked outrage and questions over party discipline.

A Reform UK spokesman said the suspensions were based on “evidence” that the councillors “brought the party into disrepute,” and the matter remains under investigation.

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In the leaked clip, Councillor Kemkaran tells the councillors: “I am not a dictator or an autocrat. I like feedback. I like to discuss.

“However, when it comes to making the really big decisions, and LGR [local government reorganisation] is one of those really big decisions… sometimes I will make a decision that might not be liked by everybody in the group.”

She then uses an expletive as she tells them they will have to “suck it up”, prompting one councillor to gasp open-mouthed, before laughing.

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