A Reform UK councillor convicted of breaking election law has lost his seat on Cambridgeshire County Council after failing to appeal in time – triggering a by-election in Fenland.
The county council has confirmed that Andy Osborn, who became an independent councillor after his conviction, is no longer a member after the court deadline for challenging his conviction passed without an appeal being filed.
The authority said it had “received confirmation from the court that Osborn has not lodged an appeal in time; therefore, he is no longer a county councillor”.
Officials will now move to fill the vacancy in the Roman Bank and Peckover division, which covers part of Wisbech and surrounding villages.
“We will be making the necessary arrangements to convene a by-election for the Roman Bank and Peckover division in Fenland,” the council said.
Osborn was convicted of making or publishing a false statement under the Representation of the People Act 1983 at Westminster Magistrates' Court last month.
He had posted a "defamatory" social media message about Conservative councillor Sam Hoy and was found guilty of breaking electoral law.
Osborn, 74, was chair of the North East Cambridgeshire Reform Party in April 2025, when he posted the message.
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