Councillor sacked after posting sexualised AI image of colleague

A Reform UK politician has been sacked from his senior council post after he posted a sexualised AI-generated image of a female colleague on social media.

The since-deleted post was published on X by Chris Hudson, cabinet member for highways and transport at Suffolk County Council, at 15:44 GMT on Monday.

It included an image which showed fellow Reform councillor June Mummery in a tight, sequined bra with the slogan "I saved the Suffolk school nurses!".

The BBC understands Hudson, who was formerly the leader of Reform in Suffolk, has been removed from his cabinet position by the party, which took control of the council in May.

Other people screen-shotted the post and put it on other social media outlets, such as Facebook.

The decision was confirmed by Reform's council leader Michael Hadwen.

"It is with regret that I announce that councillor Christopher Hudson has been relieved of his duties as cabinet member for highways and transport with immediate effect," he said.

"I would like to thank councillor Hudson for his hard work, dedication and service during his tenure as a cabinet member. His efforts on behalf of Suffolk residents are appreciated."

The move from the authority comes after Hudson's decision to share the image online was met with waves of condemnation from opposition councillors.

Annette Dunning, deputy leader of the Green Party group, the main opposition party at the council, accused him of sharing "non-consensual and sexualised AI deepfakes".

She said that cabinet member Mummery, who is councillor for Carlton Colville, "must be appalled" by the image, which she added was "a severe violation of digital safety".

"This total disrespect towards a fellow councillor brings Suffolk County Council into disrepute and it reflects badly on us as a professional organisation and as an employer," she said.

"What message is this sending to women in public life, council employees and of course, all our female residents?"

The slogan on Hudson's image, which also showed Mummery wearing dangling, glistening earrings, referred to the council rowing back on plans to reduce the number of nurses on its health visiting teams.

Mummery has been approached by the BBC for comment.

Conservative county councillor for Kesgrave, Debbie McCallum, shadow spokesperson for communities, said she supported the decision to remove Hudson from his position.

She called for a full investigation, appropriate further sanctions and said "serious questions must be asked about why he remains a member of the Reform UK group".

"We need to make it clear that this kind of behaviour towards women is unacceptable and must not be tolerated," she said.

"Women should be able to take part in politics without facing degrading or disrespectful behaviour.

"Women have worked hard to secure their place in public life and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect."

John Ward, Independent councillor on Babergh District Council and its deputy leader, said he was "astonished" when he saw the post.

"It seemed highly inappropriate for a cabinet member to depict a colleague in a sexualised manner like that," he said.

Steve Wiles, a former Conservative county councillor, said: "It's totally inappropriate and not what residents expect from elected members."

Hadwen added that councillor Patti Mulcahy had been chosen to replace Hudson in his cabinet role.

"I'm looking forward to welcoming her into the cabinet team and continuing our work to put Suffolk communities first," he added.

Hudson represents the Brook ward on the south-western edge of Ipswich, including Pinewood, Copdock, Sproughton, Hintlesham, Elmsett and Aldham.