Reform UK's Stockport branch has taken its website down after being accused of making "spurious claims" – in testimonials from people who the party admitted were not real.

The webpage – stockportreform.co.uk – used images and names of people who appeared to be created by a computer, in a cartoonish style, with vague descriptions of their backgrounds, such as 'community leader' or 'business owner'.

One supporter who was quoted on the website, named 'Jane Doe', said the local party had "transformed our community with their forward-thinking policies" – without mention of any specific actions or achievements.

The website also used a picture of Manhattan, New York, in a statement about its vision for Stockport.

But the claims of support were fake according to Jack Moore, Stockport Reform UK's interim chair, who said the website was "accidentally made available" and that the images and claims were "placeholders" whilst "genuine" content was being made.

The website was taken down on April 30, after the Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted Reform UK.

Cllr Peter Crossen, a Conservative, accused Reform of misleading Stockport residents with "AI platitudes."

"If they can't be bothered to write their own website, why should anyone trust them to deliver real change?" he said.

"Nothing says 'I care about my community' quite like a stock image of Times Square [New York] and a series of spurious claims about 'infrastructure improvements' and 'changing lives'.

"Myself and my Conservative colleagues will continue making a difference in our communities, engaging with residents, and knocking on doors. I'd love to see how they could get AI to do that for them."

Reform UK does not have any elected councillors in Stockport, but it has set up social media pages on Facebook and X, where there have been discussions about local issues.

No local elections are taking place in Stockport this year, but Stockport Reform UK said it is planning to take part in next year's vote.

Stockport council is under no overall control, but is led by the Lib Dems, who are the biggest group in the council chamber.

Nationally, Reform UK is led by Nigel Farage, MP for Clacton.

Mr Moore, of Stockport Reform UK, added: "The Reform Stockport website is currently under development.

"The images, names, and wording are filler only, purely for internal, illustrative purposes and there as placeholders whilst genuine content is being developed.

"The website has accidentally been made available for the public to see, but has now been taken down. The website will be formally launched in the near future."

He added that the criticism by Cllr Crossen could be part of "an anxiety about facing Reform UK at the ballot box in next May's local elections."

"Reform UK are building our branch and our team in the Stockport area to offer local people a real alternative to the Lib Dem-Labour-Conservative uniparty offering."

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