Reform UK councillor resigns after adult films revealed

Stephen Mousdell, a Reform UK councillor newly elected to represent the Haydock ward on St Helens Council in Merseyside, England, resigned on Friday, less than 24 hours after reports revealed his involvement in adult films under the pseudonym Lachlan Taylor UK.

Mousdell secured the seat last week with 1,331 votes, contributing to Reform UK's sweeping victory in the local elections. The party now holds 34 of the council's 48 seats, ending Labour's long-standing dominance in the area. An investigation by local media uncovered Mousdell's online profiles on platforms including OnlyFans, Pornhub, and X, where he promoted explicit content featuring himself as a gay adult performer and disc jockey. His X account, now private, previously included links to his OnlyFans page and descriptions of his interests and physical attributes.

In a lengthy statement on social media, Mousdell said he and his partner had been transparent about their adult professions, which they conducted alongside full-time jobs while complying with UK and EU laws, social media guidelines, and the Online Safety Act. He cited intense pressure from media, council members, and others over a perceived conflict of...