Council Meeting Ends With Councillor Ordered Out After Nazi Comparison

Mair Godley is 78 years old. She taught English to asylum seekers at a former military base in Essex. During a parish council meeting on 14 October, a Reform UK councillor compared her efforts to helping Germany during the second world war. The incident ended with a member of the public asking the councillor to leave to restore order.

The meeting took place in Wethersfield, where the Home Office houses hundreds of asylum seekers. Carl Johnson, a Reform UK councillor, attended to brief the council on local issues. These included pothole repairs and Operation Vanguard, a program using private security guards in town centres. Nick Godley, Mair’s husband and a former parish council chair, challenged Johnson about the need for the security patrols. He argued that crime in nearby Braintree remains low.

Johnson asked if anyone present was helping the migrants and facilitating the invasion. Mair Godley confirmed she had volunteered at the facility. According to the couple, Johnson replied that she might as well have been helping Germany during the war. He also stated he did not want to raise his daughter to be raped and murdered by asylum seekers. The draft minutes describe the discussion as heated.

Johnson had posted on Facebook the week before the meeting. He wrote that people entering the country illegally receive free clothing and accommodation. He described this dynamic as a country actively facilitating its own invasion and population replacement. He called the practice treason.

Nick Godley described the exchange as fairly challenging. He noted that Johnson had not consulted the community before introducing Operation Vanguard. A member of the public forcefully suggested Johnson leave the room. Godley said the councillor’s behavior was shocking. Mair Godley said she felt violated by the comments. She told Johnson at the meeting that he was not wanted there.

Reform UK took control of Essex county council in May 2026. This marked the end of 25 years of Conservative control. Nick Godley has lodged a formal complaint with the county council. A spokesperson said the council comments on complaints only after an investigation finds a breach. Reform UK and Johnson have not responded to requests for comment.