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Mystery of Reform's disappearing deputy: Party is accused of council 'shambles' as 22-year-old deputy leader is 'removed' after just three months without explanation
A Reform-run county council has been accused of delivering a 'shambles' after the party removed its 22-year-old deputy leader after just three months in the role.
Joseph Boam had been seen as one of the party's rising stars when he was appointed to the role at Leicestershire county council following the party's election win in May.
But he has now been removed from his post and is also no longer cabinet lead member for adult social care and communities.
Mr Boam, who declared 'this is just the beginning' following his appointment, denied he had stepped down from his role or resigned, but did not comment on whether he had been sacked.
'I am no longer deputy leader or in cabinet, but have been offered a cabinet support role which I'm inclined to take,' he said.
He insisted in a Facebook post on Sunday that 'nothing's changed' and he'll 'keep fighting' for his constituents in Whitwick.
'Despite the recent news, nothing's changed, I'll keep fighting for Whitwick at County Hall and doing everything I can to help get a Reform UK government and Nigel Farage as our next prime minister,' he wrote.
Mr Boam later posted a picture of himself sitting at a pub with two of his 'good friends' with a turquoise 'Make Britain Great Again' baseball cap positioned on the table.
He followed this up with another picture where he is seen holding a pint of lemonade. Mr Boam captioned the post 'cheers'.
He later posted on Facebook that 'nothing's changed' and said he would keep fighting for his constituents in Whitwick
It is unclear why he has been removed from both positions, with council leader Dan Harrison refusing to comment until the party group had met this week.
The leader of the main opposition to the authority, Ms Taylor, said in a statement released on social media that the Reform-led council is delivering a 'shambles'.
She said: 'The Reform Administration at Leicestershire County Council has lacked leadership and direction from the very start.
'So it comes as no surprise to us that Cllr Joseph Boam has been shown the door after just three months as Deputy Leader of Leicestershire County Council and Cabinet Lead Member for Adults.
'Frankly, he was wholly unqualified for such a critical role and lacked the experience or judgment to bring anything of value to the position.
'Adult Social Care and Communities is one of the most important and challenging portfolios in local government.
'It requires steady hands, long-term commitment and a depth of understanding.
'What it has been given instead is instability, poor judgment, and revolving-door appointments.
'At a time when Leicestershire needs stability, vision, and experienced leadership more than ever, residents are being served a plate of chaos.
'Reform promised change, what they're delivering is a shambles.'
A Reform UK source said: 'Joseph deserves thanks for his role in helping to establish the Reform Group at Leicestershire County Council and we wish him well as he moves into a new role where he will continue to support the group's efforts at County Hall.'
Ms Taylor said in a video posted on social media on Monday that the leader of the Reform-led county council, Dan Harrison, had 'sacked' Mr Boam over the weekend.
The Conservative group had previously told Mr Boam to 'educate himself' when an X post from an account named Lord Joseph Boam II said 'depression isn't real'.
Mr Boam dismissed the claims as 'fake news' and 'political smears' and said his 'focus remains on delivering for the people I was elected to serve'.
He has previously shared images on his X account posing and shaking the hand of Reform leader Nigel Farage.
Reform won 25 out of the 55 seats on the council and formed a minority administration after the local elections in May, taking control from the Conservatives.
Mr Boam was n ot the youngest Reform councillor with a senior county council position, as 19-year-old George Finch is currently the leader of Warwickshire County Council.
