William Eichler 25 February 2026

Deputy leader apologises for sharing violent post about MP

Deputy leader apologises for sharing violent post about MP image
Reform UK deputy leader of Lancashire County Council Simon Evans @ Lancashire County Council.

The deputy leader of Lancashire County Council has apologised after sharing a Facebook post which said a Labour MP ‘should be shot’.

Reform UK councillor Simon Evans shared the post about Natalie Fleet, the Labour MP for Bolsover, which also included a fake quote attributed to her stating: ‘i voted against the grooming gang enquiry’. The post was later deleted.

In a statement, Cllr Evans said he would ‘never intentionally call for or wish violence upon anyone, regardless of their political beliefs’.

Reform UK said it considered the incident an ‘honest mistake’ and confirmed it would not be taking further action.

Ms Fleet said such posts were common but highlighted the personal toll of political life. She said: ‘Posts like this are so common I don't bat an eyelid. However, they remind me why my husband and children begged me not to stand.’

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