A prominent member of Reform UK in Hillingdon has issued an apology after being caught on video taking a Conservative campaign leaflet from a resident’s mailbox. The incident, which was captured on doorbell camera footage, involved Andrew Retter, a spokesperson for Hillingdon Reform UK, who was seen removing the leaflet and placing it in his pocket just moments before addressing the homeowner.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has learned that the resident is extremely dissatisfied with Retter’s actions. Retter, who previously served as a Conservative councillor, was deselected by the party in 2014 after a lengthy 24-year tenure, and he later faced suspension.
Initial Denial and Subsequent Admission
When confronted with the allegation of taking the leaflet, Retter initially dismissed it as „silly things that the Tories are making up.“ He claimed, „Clearly, I’ve seen a bit of garbage on the ground, and I picked it up and put it into the letterbox.“ However, after being shown the video evidence, he changed his stance, stating, „Okay, well my apologies for that. But I can assure you that we are not the only ones, or I am not the only one who has done it. I’ve known people throughout my political career who’ve gone and taken things out of letterboxes.“
Reactions from Conservative Party
In response to the incident, the local Conservative group has characterized Retter’s actions as theft, asserting that it reflects poorly on his suitability as a representative. A spokesperson for Hillingdon Conservatives remarked, „This is clear evidence of theft from someone’s private property. Andrew Retter has shown that he is clearly not suitable to be an elected member to represent the community and he has undoubtedly brought shame to the Hillingdon Reform team.“ They further called for Reform UK to distance itself from Retter, emphasizing that such behavior falls short of what residents expect from their representatives.
Retter’s Defense and Political Context
Retter later expressed his willingness to take full responsibility for his actions, clarifying that his behavior does not reflect the values of the broader Hillingdon Reform UK community. He stated, „I’ll take full responsibility for my actions – my actions, not those of the decent, hardworking, honest Hillingdon Reform UK candidate, member and supporter community, the majority of whom have never been involved in the cut and thrust of politics, where you were often told to bring back some opposition literature when out canvassing or delivering your own leaflets – they know that.“
He suggested that the uproar over his actions may be a diversion from more significant issues, including his push for a public inquiry into the Theo’s Café scandal, which has reportedly cost Hillingdon taxpayers £113,000 in lost revenue. Retter raised questions about the conduct of certain Conservative councillors, particularly regarding a lease extension for the Hillingdon Foster Carers Association, which he claimed was defunct.
„My actions, for which I apologize, were at minimal cost. Theirs are costing Hillingdon residents thousands. No wonder Hillingdon council is broken and bankrupt,“ Retter stated.
Future Implications for Reform UK
The LDRS reached out to Reform UK for a comment regarding the incident, but no response was received by the time of publication. Hillingdon is among the areas where Reform UK believes it has a chance of winning seats, despite the borough being under Conservative control for over two decades.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of this incident for both Retter and Reform UK remain to be seen. The party’s ability to maintain credibility in Hillingdon may hinge on how it addresses this controversy moving forward.
For those with stories to share, contact philip.lynch@reachplc.com or follow @pjlynchjourno on X. Stay updated with the latest news from West London by signing up for the MyWestLondon newsletter.
Bildquelle: Foto von Jay Alexander auf Unsplash
