Royal Mail launches probe after postman boasted about 'dumping' Reform UK fliers in bin

Royal Mail chief executive Alistair Cochrane received a letter from lawyers acting on behalf of Reform UK about a “suspected serious incident of apparent deliberate misconduct”.

Reform UK claimed the postman posted in a private Facebook group for Royal Mail workers about throwing away the leaflets.

“I dumped them all in a bin,” he wrote.

The individual, who also used the sweary acronym "IDGAF", added: “They can sack me!”

“Such conduct constitutes a wilful breach of Royal Mail’s statutory and contractual obligations to deliver mail and literature impartially and efficiently," Reform UK's lawyers said.

"It also undermines the democratic process and Reform UK’s lawful right to engage in political campaigning."

They added: “The deliberate destruction of its materials by a Royal Mail employee therefore represents a serious affront to basic democratic principles, to the right of a major political party to have its communications delivered impartially by the public postal service, and to the hundreds of thousands of voters who are entitled to receive information from all parties on an equal basis.”

The social media post was believed to have been sent to a Facebook group containing more than 30,000 members.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “If this is found to be true, it would be very disturbing and an attack on the democratic process, albeit this is not the first time that I have encountered this.

"I am calling on Royal Mail to investigate as a matter of urgency.”

Royal Mail is now committed to holding an internal investigation into the incident.

A spokesman said: “Royal Mail plays a crucial role in elections.

"We take our responsibility very seriously and do not tolerate the deliberate non‑delivery of mail.

"We are investigating this allegation and remain committed to impartial delivery for all candidates.”

Royal Mail was embroiled in another Reform UK campaign scandal at the 2024 General Election.

A postman was spotted writing “racists” on a leaflet ahead of Reform's breakthrough election.

The man, who was wearing a red polo shirt, was filmed scribbling on a handful of papers.

“I hope that Royal Mail are taking this matter very seriously,” the Reform leader said at the time.

Royal Mail, which contains thousands of workers in the Communication Workers Union, investigated the 2024 incident.

“We take our role in elections very seriously and will investigate any incident or allegation of election material being defaced," a spokesman said.

"We are aware of the video and are conducting immediate enquiries.

"It’s our priority to ensure all candidate mail is delivered to a high level of service."