Reform UK council leaders have announced plans to scrap 'toxic' employment policies aimed at promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Members of the Reform administration at Staffordshire County Council said the authority has become 'bogged down' by EDI initiatives in areas such as recruitment and training, which they claim go beyond what is required by the law.

They now plan to spend the next nine months completely revamping equality policies at the county council, which is set to be abolished in less than two years under local government reorganisation.

Proposals include scrapping identity-based staff networks, reviewing employee training and ending 'EDI-related symbolism'.

The plans are set out in a 'cabinet position paper', which has been created and published by Reform without any involvement of council officers.

Reform council chiefs insist the new policy will comply with laws such as the Equality Act, but will not go further than is necessary.

But opposition councillors have accused Reform of stirring up 'false outrage' over EDI, saying there were never any complaints about equality policies at the council before last year's elections, while union officials have also raised concerns.

Reform's announcement comes just days after the council hit the headlines for ordering library staff to take down Pride books displays.

Council leader Martin Murray said: "When we stood for election in Staffordshire we promised that we would do away with nonsense EDI and ensure that everyone is treated and respected equally, under British law and without fear or favour.

"I spent decades owning and running nightclubs and I lived by one simple truth: equality means the same rules and same respect for every person, whether on a night out or inside a government authority.

"The steps we have taken today will enshrine equality into the fabric of Staffordshire County Council and ensure people are judged on their ability, not on some EDI ideology."

The county council's careers website currently has a page setting out the authority's 'diversity and inclusion pledge', and listing various employee groups such as the black and brown heritage network, the parent network and the neurodiversity forum.

It also explains the three schemes guaranteeing job interviews to disabled people, care leavers and armed forces personnel.

The policy paper calls for a review of recruitment and workforce-related practices to ensure that 'decisions are based solely on individual merit, capability and bounded role requirements'.

Another recommendation calls for a reset of staff development to a law-focused, role-relevant model, saying that anti-racism training 'should be rejected'.

Council leaders criticise the previous Conservative administration for introducing its EDI action plan in 2022, which they say went 'well beyond' statutory requirements.

But Conservative opposition group leader Philip White rejected this criticism, and accused Reform of using EDI as a distraction.

He said: "It comes as no surprise that Reform UK is trying to shift the focus away from the chaos they have created since they took charge in Staffordshire with rolling scandals, three leaders in four months and broken promises to cut taxes.

"Before they came along nobody had ever suggested Staffordshire County Council was anything other than a traditionally-run council.

"Reform's electoral success relies on stirring up false outrage and this appears to be another example of that approach."

Trade union Unison says it is vital that protections for workers are maintained at the county council.

Esther Fanos, head of local government at Unison West Midlands, said: "Equality is important in any workplace and everyone deserves to be treated fairly.

"Preventing discrimination and showing staff respect are vital.

"Any changes proposed by Reform UK must be carefully assessed.

"There must be no weakening of protection and support for workers, or for anyone who uses the council's services.

"It's a poor reflection on the party's priorities if it opposes giving people an equal chance."

The policy paper said the reset of equality policy would be carried out over four phases, starting with a two-month review and audit, with the new framework being implemented from month nine onwards.

The county council is due to be abolished and replaced with new unitary authorities in April 2028.