Reform's Andy Osborn is due in court in London tomorrow

Reform councillor Andy Osborn, who is already in the spotlight for his conduct as a councillor, is due to appear in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court in Central London, accused of making or publishing a false statement before or during an election in relation to a candidate's personal character or conduct.

The charge on the court documents reads: Contrary to sections 106(1) and 169 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. On 25/04/2025 at in the County of Cambridgeshire the defendant was guilty of an illegal practice in that you gave a false statement of fact, namely that “Samantha Hoy worked in the care industry but allegedly was sacked for fraud”, before or during an election, namely the local Fenland council elections on 1 May 2025, in relation to the personal character or conduct of a candidate, namely Samantha Hoy, for the purpose of affecting the return of that candidate at the election, when you did not have reasonable grounds for believing, and did not believe, the statement to be true.

Cllr Osborn, who lives in March, represents the Roman Bank and Peckover Ward of Wisbech, on the county council.

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He was elected in May with a resounding majority. He polled 1,398 votes, knocking the Conservatives into second place with 919, the Lib Dems were third with 600 votes, leaving Labour in fourth with 122, and the Green Party with 97 votes.

In June, the Wisbech Standard and Cambs Times reported that police were carrying out an inquiry into comments allegedly made by Cllr Osborn on social media in the run-up to the local elections.

Convictions resulting from breaches in election law carry an "unlimited" fine and an automatic ban from being a councillor.