The election of Reform’s Cambridgeshire leader Ryan Coogan as a councillor for Ramsey on Huntingdonshire District Council has been overshadowed by an ongoing police investigation into alleged false statements on his nomination papers.
Coogan, representing Reform UK, secured one of the seats in the multi-member Ramsey ward with 1,127 votes and has since become leader of the party’s group on the council.
However, his election victory has drawn additional scrutiny after Cambridgeshire Police confirmed it is investigating allegations connected to his candidate nomination documents.
In a statement, the force said: “We are investigating an allegation of false statements on a candidate nomination paper and the investigation is ongoing.”
The council has acknowledged a referral to police but said it would not comment further while inquiries remain active.
No criminal charges have been brought against Coogan, and no findings have been made against him. Under UK law, the presumption of innocence applies unless and until any offence is proven in court.
Publicly available election documents published by Huntingdonshire District Council listed Coogan’s address in nomination paperwork only as “an address in South Cambridgeshire”, a privacy format permitted under election rules. Questions surrounding eligibility or address declarations are understood to form part of the ongoing investigation.
Under Section 65A of the Representation of the People Act 1983, knowingly making false statements on nomination papers can constitute a corrupt practice. Conviction can carry penalties including fines, imprisonment of up to one year and disqualification from elected office for five years.
Coogan has indicated he had limited knowledge of the allegations when approached by media organisations following the election.
Originally from the Newmarket area, Coogan moved to Soham in Cambridgeshire in 1989 and has described himself as having longstanding ties to the region. He attended local schools before working in agriculture, retail and business sectors.
Companies House records show Ryan Ashley Coogan has served as a director of several businesses linked to Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, including Coogan Holdings Limited, which remains active.
Before his Ramsey victory, Coogan stood unsuccessfully in several elections, including the 2025 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoral contest, where he finished second. His political platform has focused on low taxation, infrastructure investment and criticism of some net zero policies.
On his personal website, Coogan describes himself as “The Reform Leader of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough” and says he is committed to “democratic values, civil liberties, and economic growth”.
Coogan lives with his family in the Cambridgeshire area (previously referenced in election contexts as Waterbeach in some profiles)
The investigation remains ongoing and no timetable has been announced for its conclusion.
