Caroline Gladwin is back as an Isle of Wight Reform UK councillor, Nigel Farage confirmed on Monday evening.
The party leader told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) some “serious accusations” were made against her and Reform believed she had been “accused falsely”.
On 4th February 2026, Reform UK told the LDRS Councillor Gladwin had the whip removed after an internal investigation.
Councillor Gladwin previously claimed there had been a hate campaign against her, following revelations that the Central Rural representative, who was serving on the Isle of Wight’s housing needs committee, was previously hit with warning notices over the state of a flat she rented out.
Farage: We think she’s been accused falsely
Sitting round a table with Island media at GG’s Bar and Restaurant near Newport today, Mr Farage said,
“The whip was removed because some serious accusations were made against her.
“We’ve looked deeply into that, we think she’s been accused falsely and the whip’s been restored.
“We were, you might say, overly cautious in that situation. Let’s face it, all political parties have trouble with councillors. Hundreds of councillors change every year. This isn’t plain sailing.”
He said there was “some controversy” over “some property lets” where she was “accused of all sorts”.
Farag: Suspending her was “maybe too harsh”
The Clacton MP remarked his party were very harsh suspending her, “maybe too harsh”, and that Reform were held to a higher standard than the others because “we are challengers to the establishment”. He added,
“In this case, she got a rough deal from us but she’s back and everything’s fine.”
Seven of Councillor Gladwin’s rental properties were publicly listed on her register of interests on 4th February 2026, despite her efforts to keep the information private.
Councillor Gladwin has been approached for comment.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
