Reform councillor backs ‘open fire on migrants’ border policy
Another Reform councillor has resigned following a "lack of reprimand" over the migrant shooting comment
A Reform councillor in Plymouth has backed a policy to open fire on migrants at borders if they “attempt to forcefully cross”.
Councillor Vanessa Tyler made the comment on a Facebook post after Poland passed a bill in 2024 which included a measure allowing soldiers to open fire on migrants at borders if they felt “under threat”.
Tyler, who was elected as a Reform councillor for Plympton St Mary ward in Plymouth in May, commented on a post about the Polish policy, stating: “This is what Reform and Restore would do if they get in… Do you not care about our country?”.
Her comments have even been criticised by fellow Reform councillors.
Councillor Carol Ney, who only defected from Labour to Reform in April, has resigned from Reform over its handling of the comments.
Ney has said Tyler should be suspended and that there should be “more reprimand” by the Reform group leader.
Steve Ricketts, the leader of the Reform group on Plymouth City Council, has refused to take action against Tyler over her comment.
Ricketts reportedly told other Reform councillors that he backed her “100%” and that they needed to “get behind her”.
Tyler has deleted the post in question and privately apologised to the group of Reform councillors.
Ricketts said he had decided to take no further action, stating: “We believe in second chances and felt that no further action needed to be taken.”
Plymouth Labour is calling on Ricketts to suspend Tyler while an investigation into her comments takes place.
“It’s incredibly shocking to see a member of our council appearing to endorse the shooting of illegal immigrants,” Plymouth City Council deputy leader, councillor Jemima Laing, said.
Laing said it wasn’t the first time Ricketts had not taken action over a councillor sharing “abhorrent messages”.
Days after Reform councillor Ben Rowe was elected in May, he was suspended over a series of antisemitic and islamophobic comments he made online. He was later reinstated to the party following an investigation.
Ricketts was criticised for failing to condemn Rowe’s comments and for not removing him from the Reform council group.
“This time I’m urging him [Ricketts] to do the right thing by suspending Cllr Tyler and to condemn her comments,” Laing said.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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