Reform UK swept to victory in County Durham’s local elections earlier this month, winning 65 seats and gaining overall control of the council.
However, by-elections have already been triggered elsewhere in England due to other Reform councillors resigning their roles just days after being elected.
The party has been contacted for comment regarding the situation in the North East.
A DCC spokesperson explained that in standing for election each candidate was responsible for signing a declaration that they met all the necessary statutory requirements to be able to stand.
“If an employee was elected they are not automatically disqualified from taking their seat, but they must resign from their employment in order to continue to be a councillor,” they told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
