Reform UK councillor who offered ice cream to voters facing electoral malpractice inquiry

Reform UK councillor, Joseph Boam, parked a replica 1920s ice cream van on Silver Street in the town of Whitwick on polling day with a sign that read "free 4 real Brits".

He is now facing a police investigation for "treating" under the Representation of the People Act 1983.

A police spokesperson confirmed the force received a report regarding an ice cream van outside a polling station in May, adding: "This is currently being assessed as to whether this constitutes treating under electoral malpractice."

The 22-year-old councillor won the Whitwick division with 44% of the vote and was later appointed as Deputy Leader and lead member for adult social care.

He joined the council alongside 41 other members of Reform UK, who gained overall control of the council.

However, council leader Dan Harrison later removed him as both deputy leader and adult social care lead in August for reasons that are unclear.

News of the police inquiry prompted the leader of the opposition, Cllr Deborah Taylor, to call on the council's leader, Dan Harrison, to suspend Cllr Boam over the allegations, claiming the circumstances bring the council into "serious disrepute".

"This serious allegation against Mr Boam states that he tried to influence voters by giving away ice creams outside a polling station in May 2025," she wrote in her letter.

"In my view, this brings the county council into serious disrepute and Mr Boam should be suspended immediately, pending the outcome of the police investigation."

Cllr Joseph Boam has been approached for comment.

Adam Carey