A Westminster councillor who recently defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK has revealed on GB News that she was "sick of lying" for her former party.
Laila Cunningham, who represents Lancaster Gate ward, told the People's Channel: "Someone texted me the day after I made it public and asked if I am okay. Am I okay? I feel like this is therapy. I can finally say the truth. I was sick of lying and defending the Conservatives."
She added: "I can finally speak the truth. I feel like that is what we are in politics for."
The mother-of-seven crossed the floor to Nigel Farage's party earlier this week, claiming the Conservatives had "let the country down" on issues including women's rights and net zero policy.
Laila Cunningham said being able to speak her mind is "like therapy"
GB NEWS / PA
During her GB News appearance, Cunningham explained how she became known as the "vigilante mum" after tracking down muggers who targeted her children.
"My kids were being targeted by muggers on my high street. They got targeted twice. The first time, I chased the muggers down to the basement in McDonald's," she said.
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When she contacted police, they told her: "Sorry, we don't have the resources to deal with you right now, someone has been stabbed."
With officers unable to patrol the streets due to resource constraints, Cunningham took matters into her own hands.
Nigel Farage and Kemi BadenochGETTY"I put the baby in the baby carrier and I followed the muggers," she revealed, explaining how she photographed their trainers for identification and tracked them to their estate.
Her intelligence eventually led to police catching the group.
Cunningham announced her defection in a resignation letter posted on social media, stating that Reform UK was the only party that could "provide leadership to save Britain".
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she had considered leaving "for a while" and became disillusioned with the former government for not launching a national inquiry into grooming gangs.
Cunningham joined Martin Daubney on GB News
GB NEWS
The councillor said it became "harder and harder" to support the Tories on the doorstep.
"When I spoke to residents they'd ask me what the party stood for. They would say the Conservatives were rubbish and I would say they are completely right," she explained.
Conservative group leader Paul Swaddle claimed Cunningham had become increasingly disengaged, missing meetings and losing the trust of party figures.
Cunningham denied these allegations.
Following her defection and controversial public remarks about crime and policing, Cunningham has resigned from her position as a Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor.
A CPS spokesperson confirmed to The Standard: "Councillor Cunningham has resigned from her position as a CPS prosecutor."
The resignation was immediately accepted in circumstances where she would likely have faced disciplinary proceedings for breaching civil service rules on political participation.
In January, Cunningham had prosecuted Johnny Scott at Westminster Magistrates' Court for causing more than £24,000 of damage after crashing into Buckingham Palace gates.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage welcomed her defection, describing her as an "enormously talented, successful woman who will add to the professionalisation of our London team".
Cunningham now sits as Reform UK's sole elected representative on Westminster Council.
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