A member of Parliament from Reform UK faces allegations of making false claims about securing funding for a local boxing club. Sarah Pochin stated in a now-deleted social media video that she had helped Runcorn Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) obtain financial support. However, the club has refuted these assertions, emphasizing that they have not received any funding from Reform.
The boxing club demanded an apology from the MP and clarified that they are an apolitical charity with no ties to any political party. They also highlighted that Ms. Pochin did not have permission to film at their premises. In a statement on Facebook, the club reiterated that the claim of securing funding was entirely fabricated and could harm their prospects of receiving future financial aid.
After being confronted by the club, Ms. Pochin revised her statement, acknowledging that the funding she facilitated was actually for Diverse Sports Runcorn operating within the boxing club, emphasizing their separate organizational structures. Subsequently, she removed her initial post and clarified that the existing resources had been allocated for another year, rather than securing additional funding.
The situation has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the implications of false claims on charitable organizations.