Thomas Coke-Smyth acted for the prosecution in a case before Westminster Magistrates’ Court concerning an offence under the Representation of the People Act 1983.
Andrew Osborn, a Reform UK councillor, and at the time, North East Cambridgeshire Reform party Chair, was found guilty of making or publishing a false statement during the run-up to the May 2025 local elections. The case concerned a social media post falsely alleging that Conservative candidate Samantha Hoy had been dismissed for fraud.
District Judge Nina Tempia rejected the defendant’s claim that his account had been hacked and convicted him of the offence.
As a result of the conviction, Mr Osborn will be disqualified from office, and a by-election will be held.
The case has been reported in national press:
Thomas Coke-Smyth