Royal Mail probes after postman allegedly binned Reform UK leaflets

Royal Mail has launched an investigation into claims a postman allegedly “dumped” Reform UK campaign leaflets in a bin in a move dubbed a “wilful breach” of its contractual obligations

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Royal Mail has initiated an inquiry into claims that a postman professed to have “dumped” Reform UK campaign leaflets in a bin. A message on a Facebook group for Royal Mail employees stated: “My DO had reform party’s D2D today. I dumped them all in a bin. They can sack me! Idgaf!”

The post was shared within a private Facebook group of 30,000 members named Royal Mail Chat. A legal representative for Reform UK penned a letter of complaint to Alistair Cochrane, chief executive of Royal Mail, stating that the screenshot was disseminated on or around Saturday.

“DO” is shorthand for delivery office, “D2D” signifies door to door or unaddressed advertising mail, and “IDGAF” stands for “I don’t give a f***”.

Party leader Nigel Farage commented on X: “It is right that @RoyalMail have launched a full investigation into this allegation. “If found to be true, it would be very disturbing and an attack on the democratic process itself.”

Royal Mail released a statement asserting it “plays a crucial role in elections” and “we take our responsibility very seriously and do not tolerate the deliberate non-delivery of mail”.

It continued: “We are investigating this allegation and remain committed to impartial delivery for all candidates.”

Reform demanded an “immediate and thorough internal investigation” within three days of its letter, dated Saturday, and a comprehensive written explanation.

It asked for information regarding any compensation measures “Royal Mail proposes to offer Reform UK for the loss and disruption caused by this incident”.

The party is also demanding confirmation that suitable disciplinary action “up to and including summary dismissal” has been or will be implemented “against any employee found to have participated in or condoned the destruction of the materials”.

It requested written guarantees that future Reform campaign deliveries will be “prioritised, properly monitored, and safeguarded against any recurrence”.

On the Facebook post, the legal representative stated: “This admission provides clear prima facie evidence of the deliberate destruction or non-delivery of Reform UK’s door-to-door campaign materials that had been entrusted to Royal Mail.

“Such conduct constitutes a wilful breach of Royal Mail’s statutory and contractual obligations to deliver mail and literature impartially and efficiently.

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

The Facebook group is accessible to Royal Mail employees and partners, as well as members of the Communication Workers Union – a trade union representing postal delivery workers. It declares it does not admit current or former Royal Mail managers.

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