Police have launched an electoral malpractice inquiry after claims a Reform UK candidate gave away ice creams to voters from a van near a polling station.
Leicestershire Police said the investigation was assessing whether so-called âtreatingâ â providing food, drink or entertainment to influence voters â had taken place in May.
The ice cream van is reportedly owned by the family of former Leicestershire County Council deputy leader Joseph Boam, who was removed from the post by his party in August, three months after being elected as a councillor.
News of the inquiry prompted calls from the leader of Leicestershireâs Conservative group for Mr Boam to be suspended immediately by his local party, pending the outcome of the police probe.
The 22-year-old was one of 25 Reform UK candidates elected to the county council in May, attracting 1,601 votes (44%) in the Whitwick division.
Leicestershire Police said in a statement confirming details of the inquiry: âThe force received a report from a third party of an ice cream van outside a polling station in May 2025.
âThis is being assessed as to whether this constitutes treating under electoral malpractice.â
Mr Boam has been approached for comment and is reported to deny any wrongdoing, having yet to be contacted by the police.
In a video posted on social media in August, Mr Boam was described as a Reform UK âgrassroots heroâ and told viewers he worked with his father making sheds, adding: âWe have also brought back my great great grandfatherâs ice cream company, G Boam and Sons Pure Ices, originally founded in the 1920s, bringing a piece of our townâs history back to life.â
The councillor, a former KFC worker, said he was also involved in property renovation, aiming to turn a derelict chapel into a home.
Reform UK was accused of serving up a âplate of chaosâ in late August when Mr Boam was removed from his role as deputy council leader.
In an open letter to the leader of Leicestershire County Council, the leader of Leicestershire Conservatives, Deborah Taylor, said: âFollowing a report I have received this evening (Monday) I was shocked to hear that Mr Boam is being investigated by Leicestershire Police for electoral malpractice.
âThe serious allegations against Mr Boam states that he tried to influence voters by giving away ice creams outside a polling station in May 2025.
âIn my view, this brings the county council into serious disrepute and Mr Boam should be suspended immediately, pending the outcome of the police investigation.â
In August Ms Taylor said it came as no surprise that Mr Boam had been âshown the door after just three monthsâ as he was âwholly unqualified for such a critical role and lacked the experience or judgment to bring anything of value to the position.â
Electoral Commission guidance for candidates and agents states that a person would be guilty of âtreatingâ if either before, during or after an election they directly or indirectly give or provide any food, drink, entertainment or provision to corruptly influence any voter to vote or refrain from voting.
The offence requires a corrupt intent and does not apply to ordinary hospitality.
