Reform’s Andrea Jenkyns storms out of meeting after discussion of Henry Nowak murder A meeting between cabinet minister Steve Reed and regional mayors descended into argument when Andrea Jenkyns, the Reform mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, walked out after a disagreement about the role of social media and freedom of speech in community tensions. The discussion was prompted by the murder of Henry Nowak and subsequent civil unrest, with accusations flying about political exploitation and deflection. The incident threatened to overshadow the meeting’s original purpose of discussing devolution of powers.

• Andrea Jenkyns, Reform mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, walked out of a meeting with communities secretary Steve Reed and other mayors.
• The walkout occurred during a discussion on social cohesion following the murder of Henry Nowak and subsequent civil unrest.
• Jenkyns argued that social cohesion is impossible without freedom of speech and accused Labour figures of deflecting criticism.
• Other mayors, including Steve Rotheram, rejected Jenkyns’ comments, drawing parallels to the Hillsborough disaster.
• The meeting’s primary focus was intended to be the devolution of powers from the national government to mayors.