Three Reform UK councillors have resigned from Durham Council, putting the party's overall control of its flagship local authority at immediate risk.

The resignations mark a significant shift in the balance of power in County Durham. The party won control of the council in local elections in May last year, taking 65 of its 98 seats. With these latest departures, the total number of Reform councillors has fallen from 65 to 51, leaving the administration with a much narrower working majority.

The council has held symbolic importance for Reform UK from the start. When the party won power there, leader Nigel Farage stated that he wanted its Durham councillors to demonstrate directly to the public how a Reform government would run the United Kingdom.

One of the councillors stepping down, Lyndsey Fox, pointed to an unresolved internal complaint as her reason for walking away. She said: "I’ve been thinking of resigning for some time, and the reason is because I reported a very serious safeguarding issue on July 14, and we’re now two months on and I’ve heard nothing."

These departures follow an investigation by Sky News last week, which reported allegations of bullying within the local authority. At the time the claims were broadcast, Reform UK rejected the report, describing the allegations as "malicious and misleading".

The instability in Durham is not an isolated incident for the party. Across the country, dozens of Reform councillors have either resigned their seats, defected to rival political groups, or been kicked out of the party entirely since taking office.

The situation drew an immediate response from Labour chair Bridget Phillipson, who criticised the party's record in local government. She said: "Reform UK are in complete meltdown as one of their flagship councils has once again been thrown into chaos by resignations and infighting. Nigel Farage’s party are up to their neck in sleaze and scandal. From the multiple police probes into Reform’s dodgy finances, to the secret £5 million ‘gift’ from a crypto billionaire – the questions aren’t going away."

Meanwhile, Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice MP, responded to the broadcast coverage by publicly criticising Sky News presenter Cathy Newman on social media. Writing on X, Mr Tice stated: "Clear that @cathynewman of @SkyNews has become an anti Reform activist, no longer a journalist A formal complaint will be made to Ofcom."

The council resignations in the north-east also coincided with sudden upheaval for the party in Wales on the very same day. Reform's leader in Wales, Dan Thomas, stood down after being arrested over the weekend in connection with allegations of assault and coercive controlling behaviour.

Mr Thomas, who was released without charge, has denied any wrongdoing. He confirmed he was stepping aside "for personal reasons", explaining that he did not want "the coming headlines to be a distraction" from Reform's ongoing work in the Welsh Senedd. At the same time, Reform Member of the Senedd Sarah Cooper-Lesadd announced she was defecting to Plaid Cymru.

Reform UK has been approached for comment regarding the Durham resignations. What we do not know yet is whether further councillors plan to step down in the coming days, or how the party intends to manage council business with its majority now cut so thin.

I'll be following this one — check back for updates.