By Harry Harrison

Copyright bbc

Charity, who is a councillor for Conisbrough ward alongside Reed and William Shaw, said the business was legal but “not something that Reform UK would have approved”.

The “big mistake” Knight made was “not consulting with local leadership or national HQ” where the idea would have been rejected, Charity added.

Knight will no longer sit on the overview and scrutiny management committee (OSMC) or chair the health and adult social care overview and scrutiny panel.

Despite the pair being registered as equal partners, the party has rallied behind Reed who chairs the OSMC, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“For Rachel, we have taken advice on her ability to chair the OSMC and based on her explanation, it would not have hindered her,” he said.

He said Knight had suggested the idea to her as she was rushing to a committee meeting, and she “didn’t think it through in the rush”.

“She said it sounded like a great idea and before she knew it, she was registered on the company,” Charity added.