Man arrested for alleged homophobia and threats to gay Reform councillor
Daniel Piddington (Facebook/Cllr Daniel Piddington formerly Burcham)
A man has been arrested on suspicion of sending a series of homophobic and threatening messages to a gay Reform UK councillor.
Daniel Piddington, who represents Attleborough on Norfolk County Council, reported to police that he had been subjected to what he described as a “sustained pattern of hostility and intimidation”.
Norfolk Police were first alerted on 26 July, and following several weeks of enquiries, a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications, as per the Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury.
He has since been released on bail until 16 November while the investigation continues. He is alleged to have directed a series of homophobic slurs and threatening messages at Piddington, who is gay.
Speaking after the arrest, Piddington said he accepted scrutiny as an elected representative but drew a firm line at abuse. “What I will never accept is intimidation, threats to my welfare or homophobic abuse,” he said.
“There has been a sustained pattern of hostility and intimidation directed towards me, seemingly intended to silence me or deter me from carrying out the role I was elected to perform. It will not succeed.”
With proceedings ongoing, he said it would not be appropriate to comment further. He added: “I have confidence in the judicial process and will allow that process to take its course.”
A police spokeswoman said: “We received on 26 July 2026 that malicious messages had been sent to a man in Attleborough.
“Following enquiries a man in his 40s was arrested on August 18 on suspicion of malicious communications.
“He was taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and was subsequently bailed until November 16, 2026.”
