A LEADING light in the emergence of Reform UK across the borough is walking away from the party after receiving death threats.

Coun David White, who represents the Rockingham ward, was initially elected to the council as a member of the Conservative Party.

However, later that year he resigned from the party and instead switched his allegiance to Reform UK - making him the first councillor from the party in the town hall.

He subsequently stood as the Parliamentary candidate for Barnsley South last year in the general election where he received a total of 11,651 votes - ultimately losing out to current MP Stephanie Peacock.

The exit polls suggested he had a 99 per cent chance of taking the seat away from Labour, but the votes eventually told another story.

But David, who will remain as an independent councillor, told the Chronicle the threats he has received and the ‘lies’ spread about him have made his position untenable.

He has now resigned from the party - both from his role as a councillor and as chairman of the South Yorkshire region.

It’s thought that David was one of the main influences within Reform UK and he was the one who brought current Reform leader Nigel Farage to the town during the election campaign.

He said: “This has dragged on ever since I first went to Reform.

“The main reason I have resigned is because of the continual barrage of personal attacks that I have received.

“Some of the stuff which has been posted on Facebook ended with someone in court. It’s ridiculous and sensationalised.”

But the threats didn’t just remain on social media according to Coun White, he has been threatened in person - including death threats.

“My home address was published on Facebook and people were coming round - bricks were even thrown,” he added.

“I went into a supermarket and I was pushed by a member of staff.

“I’ve received death threats, I’ve been threatened by someone who has a shotgun.

“I’m broad-shouldered - but my family may not be.

“The personal grief that I’ve had has been immense.

“I’m just tired of explaining myself from all the lies.”

Just before Christmas, David spoke with his partner about his next steps and decided that he should step down if he received further hassle.

“We received a Christmas card from people saying that this was just the start,” he said.

“It’s clearly people who have a personal vendetta against myself.

“The only way to stop this is to step down from Reform.”

David, now 60, says he will remain as a local councillor to be a ‘voice for residents’ - but he will no longer seek to become an MP.

He also praised the police, council and the Reform party for their support as the incidents unfolded.

He added: “All I’ve ever wanted is to be able to give people a voice.

“That’s why I got into politics.

“I do an immense amount of work behind the scenes and privately with residents. The council were supportive when they found out about it to be fair to them.

“The party were aware of what was going off and they supported me too. The police would come to my house and tell me they feared for my safety.There’s not enough money that’s worth what has been happening. There was no other way to get out of it other than to resign.”