Full Breakdown
Prime Minister Calls for Action Against Reform UK Councillor Over Threatening Post
2/26/2026, 12:11:44 AM
Incident Overview
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has demanded the dismissal of Simon Evans, the deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, following his resharing of a social media post that included a call for Labour MP Natalie Fleet to "be shot." The post, originally from an account named Malcolm Bulmer, contained derogatory language directed at Fleet and a fabricated quote attributed to her. Evans has since apologized, claiming he did not notice the offensive text accompanying the post.
Political Exchange
The incident unfolded during Prime Minister's Questions, where Starmer confronted Reform UK leader Nigel Farage regarding Evans' actions. Starmer criticized Farage for failing to condemn the threatening remarks and for not taking appropriate action against Evans. He stated, “If he has any decency or backbone, he will stand up, apologise, condemn the comments and sack the individual in his party.” Farage, however, did not directly address the issue and instead shifted the conversation to a different topic, prompting Starmer to label Farage's response as lacking decency and backbone.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to the controversy, Evans expressed regret over his actions, describing them as a “genuine mistake.” Despite the visible nature of the offensive message, the Reform UK party accepted his explanation, stating it was an honest error. Starmer's remarks emphasized the seriousness of the threats made against Fleet, highlighting that he had previously condemned similar threats against other MPs.
Criticism & Opposition
Starmer's call for accountability has been met with criticism of Farage's leadership within Reform UK. Observers have noted that failing to address such serious allegations undermines the party's credibility. The incident has sparked discussions about the responsibility of political leaders to denounce threats against public officials, regardless of party affiliation.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Evans has apologized and claimed ignorance of the post's content, the clarity of the message raises questions about the sincerity of his defense. There is no indication from Reform UK regarding any potential disciplinary actions against Evans, which leaves the situation unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If he has any decency or backbone, he will stand up, apologise, condemn the comments and sack the individual question in his party. Will he do so?” — Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
- “So he has neither the decency not the backbone to condemn the death threat to a member of this House, whichever party they are in.” — Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions in UK politics regarding the treatment of MPs and the responsibilities of party leaders in addressing threats and misconduct within their ranks.
