Mental health nurse claims he was investigated after campaign video in which he appeared in his uniform
Daily Telegraph 11/08/26
A Reform UK councillor is suing the NHS over claims he was discriminated against for his political beliefs.
Daniel Matchett, who was elected to Lancashire county council last May, has launched legal proceedings against the health service after he was subjected to a disciplinary investigation for posing in a Reform UK campaign video on social media.
Mr Matchett had worked in the NHS as a mental health nurse for more than a decade before standing as a Reform UK candidate in Whitworth & Bacup.
However, he was investigated by his employer after appearing in the campaign video wearing an NHS uniform and mentioning his work as a mental health nurse.
Mr Matchett was accused of breaching his NHS Trust’s social media policies by filming part of the video on his NHS Trust’s premises.
The investigation was launched one day after the video was posted in July 2024. It was closed three months later, with no further action taken.
Mr Matchett said: “I am bringing this case because I do not believe the video was ever really the issue. My case is that what was under investigation were my beliefs and that the process itself was the punishment.
“Equality before the law has to mean the same thing for everybody, or it means nothing. I am bringing this case so that the next nurse who puts their name on a ballot paper does not have to think twice about it.”
Mr Matchett later edited the video to remove the eight-second segment filmed on the NHS Trust’s premises.
He claims he was discriminated against by his employer based on his political beliefs. The Equality Act 2010 protects religious and philosophical beliefs, but not necessarily political views. Political beliefs could still be protected if they meet the definition of a philosophical belief, according to Acas.
Elliot Hammer of Branch Austin McCormick, who is representing Mr Matchett, said: “Daniel’s case will be an important case exploring belief discrimination, especially in a party political context.”
After winning his seat, Mr Matchett was appointed to be the cabinet member for health and wellbeing on Lancashire county council.
A Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: “As an NHS organisation, we remain politically neutral. We are an inclusive employer and do not treat anyone any differently based on their political beliefs. We are supportive of all of our colleagues, in line with our values of being a team, kind, respectful and always learning.
“It would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases, particularly those which may be subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
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