Caroline Gladwin No Longer Reform UK Councillor - Now Sits As Independent

Isle of Wight Council member Caroline Gladwin is no longer a Reform UK councillor and now sits as an independent, the party confirmed on Tuesday, February 4.

A spokesperson for Reform UK said Cllr Gladwin had the whip removed following an internal investigation, citing “information that had not previously been disclosed to the party.”

The announcement comes after details of seven rental properties owned by Cllr Gladwin were published on the council’s website, following a decision by the monitoring officer.

The properties are located across East Cowes, Newport, Sandown, Shanklin, Ryde and Cowes, with an eighth still listed as a “sensitive interest.”

Cllr Gladwin, who serves on the council’s adult social care, public health and housing needs committee, has issued a strong statement to Island media alleging harassment, collusion, and a “campaign of hate” against her.

She singled out Independent Socialist councillor Geoff Brodie, the Conservative group, and the council itself, and said the matter would now be referred to “all the relevant authorities, including the police.” She also said she is “considering taking legal action.”

The controversy stems from her reluctance to publicly disclose her rental properties, despite repeated requests from the council’s monitoring officers.

She says she has been subject to intimidation and threats during her time campaigning for Reform UK, and has lodged formal complaints against the monitoring officer.

Conservative group leader Cllr Ed Blake responded, saying that councillors’ actions and interests are open to scrutiny and that enforcing disclosure rules is not bullying.

Cllr Brodie also dismissed her claims as “potentially libellous.”

Cllr Gladwin has been contacted for further comment.