Reform metro mayor accused of misleading residents with £1 million community fund which 'doesn't exist'

Luke Campbell, Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire and Olympic boxing champion, launched his fund last week with a website that invites locals to submit projects for consideration.

But a Lib Dem councillor has accused Mr Campbell of using the website to harvest data for his Reform UK party, and of failing to get the appropriate sign-offs for his fund.

In a video posted on his social media at the weekend, the mayor said: "Exciting news. We have a £1 million community fund.

"This is a million pounds every year, for the next four years.

"I want to hand over the decision to the people of this region. Please tell me where you want to see this money being spent. It's all down to you."

'Serious breach of trust'

Writing on X, councillor Tom Astell said that, although the website lukeasksyou.com carries Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority branding, it is actually promoted by Reform UK.

Mr Astell said: "Your personal data goes to the party - not the Authority."

The councillor said: "And the £1m fund? It doesn't exist.

"It has never been through the Combined Authority Executive Board. No decision. No approval.

"It's not even clear if the Combined Authority actually has the ability or monies available for such a fund."

Mr Astell said any spending of more than £250,000 has to be approved by the executive board as a "key decision".

He said: "So residents are being invited to pitch ideas for a fund that hasn't been agreed - while handing their data to a political party.

"This is a serious breach of trust. Public branding. Party data collection. A non-existent fund. Residents deserve honesty."

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Mr Astell, who represents a ward in town of Beverley on East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said he has written to the combined authority's interim chief executive Mark Rogers about his concerns.

He said: "Public office is a public trust. Hull & East Yorkshire deserves honesty, not smoke and mirrors."

'Misinformed'

Responding to the complaints, Luke Campbell said: "The complaint sent by Liberal Democrat Councillor Tom Astell is entirely misinformed.

"As Mayor, I have the authority to launch the £1m Community Fund, Cllr Astell clearly has not read the Combined Authority constitution.

"The website LukeAsksYou.com in which the people of Hull and East Yorkshire can submit projects for funding is entirely owned and operated by HEYCA.

"This vexatious complaint has not been upheld, as per the Combined Authority’s monitoring officer. All rules have been followed at all times.

"I suggest that in the future Cllr Astell is properly briefed on matters before he complains."

Mr Campbell was elected in May 2024, becoming one of two Reform metro mayors, along with Dame Andrea Jenkyns in Greater Lincolnshire.

He won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics before embarking on a successful pro boxing career.