Reform party leader Nigel Farage and Andrew Rosindell in January (Image: Getty Images)
A Reform UK MP is suing in the High Court after being locked out of his office at his local Conservative HQ. Andrew Rosindell, the Romford MP since 2001, became London‘s first Reform MP in January. He defected to Nigel Farage‘s party, declaring the Tories « irreparably bound to previous mistakes. » For more than 20 years, he has had exclusive use of a private room at the Romford Conservative Association’s Margaret Thatcher House as his constituency office.
However, last Wednesday, the association changed the locks overnight, blocking his access. He is now suing, claiming the association had no right to lock him out and asking a judge to order his return. Among his complaints, the former Tory says he has concerns for « his personal safety » after being blocked from his « panic room ».
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The Royal Courts of Justice (Image: Getty)
The case reached the High Court for an emergency injunction yesterday, but was adjourned after the association received only 90 minutes’ notice. Veteran politician Mr Rosindell, 59, had served as a Conservative since 2001 before defecting.
In a statement, Mr Rosindell claimed: « The views and concerns of constituents such as mine in Romford have been consistently ignored for far too long. Our country has endured a generation of managed decline. Radical action is now required to reverse the damaging decisions of the past and to forge a new course for Britain. »
Mr Justice Pepperall heard that Mr Rosindell has had exclusive use of the office for decades, plus shared use of the campaign room. After defecting, the association told him he could not stay, as his status as a Tory was an « implicit condition » of his residency.
On March 18, the locks were changed. This prompted an application for an emergency injunction to force his reentry. His barrister, Adam Richardson, told the judge: « The respondent has excluded the applicant from the premises by changing the locks and refusing access. No court order has been obtained.
« The applicant has occupied the premises continuously for over 20 years. That occupation has been governed by successive written agreements, the most recent dated December 12, 2025. The premises contain active casework, sensitive records, parliamentary IT, and security systems, including a panic room. »
Mr Richardson added: « He cannot access his IT or the security arrangements installed for his personal safety. The exclusion is materially impairing his ability to perform his duties. Constituents are unable to contact their MP in the usual way.
The proper course would have been to seek possession through the court. Instead, the respondent has taken the law into its own hands. » For the association, barrister Alison Wu said the application should not be heard on 90 minutes’ notice.
The association claims it is « implicit » that he can only use the office while a Conservative. Adjourning the matter, Mr Justice Pepperall said: « The locking out happened on Wednesday March 18. I am hearing this on Tuesday March 24.
« If an urgent application was needed, it is surprising solicitors didn’t issue a claim form by Friday. One and a half hours’ notice is utterly inadequate. » The judge adjourned until a claim is filed.
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