The leader of Warwickshire County Council has staunchly defended his "joke" that suggested political rivals are unhygienic – and he argues that it shows "how fun" Reform UK is.

Cllr George Finch has been criticised for making remarks about Green Party councillors contaminating rivers by washing in them and having to "Febreze" one individual when he enters the building.

Made during a party livestream on YouTube in July, they add to the list of Cllr Finch's controversial comments about individuals since taking office and dismay has landed from the other side of the chamber with right-leaning Restore Britain councillors citing it among their reasons for not supporting their ex-colleague to continue as leader at Shire Hall.

Cllr Finch broadcast live from Nuneaton alongside fellow councillors and party activists on July 4 as part of a show that cut to different areas of the country in between observations from Reform's head of local government Ben Bradley.

Presenter Charlie Rowley brought in Cllr Finch three times, on each occasion introducing him as the leader of Warwickshire County Council – none of the comments about political rivals were instigated by Mr Rowley or Mr Bradley.

In the first section, Cllr Finch said Reform activists had been "looking at the rivers, seeing if there are any councillors in there because they don't wash in regular showers, they only wash in the rivers which contaminates them and we don't want that".

Later, Cllr Finch went on to reference an individual Green councillor, albeit without naming him, alleging that "he only showers once a week and I have to Febreze him every time he comes into the office, or we try to hose him down but we can't do that because it will contaminate the water, which is a shame".

When asked about then-chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves MP, Cllr Finch called her "Rachel Thieves" and likened her hairstyle to that of Richard III.

Deputy leader of Warwickshire's Restore group Councillor Scott Cameron (Coleshill South & Arley), who defected from Reform in February 2026, feels the leader has brought the council into disrepute.

"Regardless of personal thoughts, these comments are not appropriate to be made public by a councillor, let alone the leader of the council," he stated.

"That is not the case," insisted Cllr Finch, dismissing the comments as "a humorous joke".

He argued it was "nothing to do with (Cameron's) party", that "he doesn't even need to talk about it" before questioning why his rival was "fixated on defending the Green councillors".

Put to him that many would consider the comments impolite at best, Cllr Finch replied: "Have you seen the stuff they have been saying about me? Giving me death threats, calling me a fascist, calling me a Nazi. I would really hit back on that."

He added that he had named no individuals and that any conduct complaint would be "thrown out" as the comments were not under the banner of either council he represents – Warwickshire or Nuneaton & Bedworth.

"In effect, I can say what I like about other political parties," he said.

"How about the entertainment that gave to the Reform members to try to encourage them out to litter pick?

"You are allowed to make jokes about political parties, I made one on a political broadcast. Fine. That's got no problem, there is no disrepute on the council or foul play towards the council no matter what.

"Do you want to entertain them as they watch the broadcast, see how fun as a political party we are to bring members in? Of course I will make a joke. I imagine if other political parties did that, they would make a very similar joke in relation to Reform."

Put to him that he could have avoided criticism and this being utilised in a potential vote of no confidence by avoiding such comments, Cllr Finch decried "a completely stupid line of questioning".

"If any councillor has a concern about what I said, I encourage them to put in a code of conduct complaint and we will see where that gets you," he said.

"I guarantee it will be dubbed a political broadcast and nothing to do with the council."

Pressed further on it being an unnecessary comment to make, particularly as he alleges that Reform councillors have been subjected to death threats, and asked whether he should have behaved in a more statesman-like manner, Cllr Finch questioned whether journalists could credibly define a statesman.

"You are not an elected politician, you don't know how we need to act," he said.

"I am responsible to the voters of Bedworth Central only. They will vote me in or discipline me if they believe I have not been a good councillor, not the council."