Essex councillor compares English tutor to WWII collaborator
A formal complaint has been filed after a Reform UK official accused a 78-year-old volunteer of aiding an invasion during a heated parish council debate.
By Priya Singh ·
A 78-year-old volunteer has accused a Reform UK councillor of comparing her to a Nazi collaborator for teaching asylum seekers English.
The incident occurred at a Wethersfield parish council meeting in Essex on 14 October. Mair Godley, who lives near a former military base now used for asylum seeker accommodation, said the comments were directed at her during a discussion about local infrastructure.
Reform UK gained control of Essex county council in May 2026, ending 25 years of Conservative leadership. Councillor Carl Johnson attended the parish meeting to address issues such as pothole repairs and Operation Vanguard, a private security patrol program.
Godley’s husband, Nick, challenged Johnson on the need for security patrols. He noted that crime rates in nearby Braintree remained low. Johnson then asked if anyone in the room was helping migrants and facilitating an invasion.
Godley responded that she had volunteered to teach English at the facility. Johnson reportedly said she might as well have been helping Germany during the second world war. He added that he did not want to raise his daughter to be raped and murdered by asylum seekers.
In a Facebook post made the week before the meeting, Johnson wrote that the country was facilitating its own invasion. He described this action as treason. A draft minute from the meeting indicates the discussion became heated until a member of the public asked Johnson to leave to restore order.
Godley stated she felt violated by the comments. She told Johnson at the meeting that he was not wanted there. Nick Godley has lodged a formal complaint with Essex county council regarding the councillor's behavior.
An Essex county council spokesperson said they comment on complaints only after an investigation finds a breach. Reform UK and Johnson have not responded to requests for comment.
The next step involves the county council reviewing the formal complaint. The parish council will also finalize the draft minutes from the 14 October session.
Source: The Guardian
