Reform UK mayor accused of cyberflashing went on taxpayer-funded trip with witness

Luke Campbell, the Reform UK mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, who is under police investigation on suspicion of allegedly cyberflashing a colleague in his offices, accompanied one of the witnesses to the incident on a taxpayer-funded work trip last month. Campbell has said he is innocent of the cyberflashing allegation. He and the witness joined other delegates for the northern England mayoral trade mission to India in early October. It is understood that the witness will not play any further part in the investigation.

While there is no suggestion of improper pressure being applied, the revelation comes amid concerns arising from widespread calls for better safeguards and a perception that the investigation process has not been properly adequately protected. Campbell, a gold medal boxer at the 2012 London Olympics, is under police investigation for allegedly showing a female member of staff four fully “naked and sexualised” images earlier this year. Related articles: Police commissioner demands answers over Luke Campbell ‘cyberflashing’ claims Fresh complaints over Reform mayor’s ‘toxic’ office Last week the Humberside police and crime commissioner (PCC), Jonathan Evison, raised concerns about witness protection and asked for assurances that evidence was being properly protected.

In fresh correspondence from the alleged cyberflashing victim to the PCC and members of the combined authority’s executive board, it is alleged that “there has been no witness protection provided by Heyca”. One of the witnesses joined Campbell on a recent trip to India, alongside another Heyca executive, and the trio spent three days away together before other delegates arrived, it is claimed. Heyca has confirmed the presence of the individuals in a recent freedom of information request, seen by The Observer .

According to this document, the cost to the taxpayer of the trip exceeded £50,000. The alleged victim’s correspondence also stated that the images shown were not taken from a magazine cover, as has been claimed by Campbell’s supporters, instead describing them as “pornographic”. As previously reported by The Observer , one of the witnesses recalled seeing a tattoo that is not visible on the image shared by Reform figures and supporters on social media.

Campbell posted a statement on social media on Friday, in which he wrote: “I am innocent of any wrongdoing and look forward to the findings of the police investigation being made public as soon as possible so that I can get on with performing my duty as mayor without distraction, the role I was democratically elected to do.” Meanwhile, Hull MPs Diana Johnson, Emma Hardy and Karl Turner have written to Reform’s leader, Nigel Farage, asking that he suspend Campbell pending the investigation.

The letter, shared with The Observer , notes that “modern best practice” in political parties and public sector organisations is to suspend individuals subject to criminal investigation and remove them from their public duties. “It protects all parties involved and is a neutral act – in no way a determination of guilt,” the letter states. “We are very surprised that this has not happened in this case… With Luke Campbell evidently rejecting the public calls for him to stand aside from his mayoral role, made by three senior members of Heyca, we are writing to ask what you intend to do as the leader of Reform UK.”

Farage rubbished the letter as “a lot of gossip from the old Labour party, who feel that Hull is their backyard”. He claimed he had “seen no evidence of wrongdoing against Luke Campbell at all”. In response, Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North and Cottingham, told The Observer : “Nigel Farage’s dismissive attitude to the women who have come forward, and to the police investigation, sheds light on the culture within Reform UK. These allegations need to be taken seriously.

“Eighteen months after Luke Campbell was elected mayor, Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority is mired in these allegations, and is far from focused on delivering the jobs, investment and regeneration that local people were promised.” Neither Heyca nor Reform responded to requests for comment. Photograph by Guy Corbishley / Alamy Nigel Farage Reform News Politics National Police Investigations