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The Deputy Leader of a West London council has been using an anonymous profile name on Facebook to comment on political posts in local community groups - including accusing a disgruntled resident of being a "keyboard warrior" and claiming to be a Reform voter while criticising the party.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has obtained evidence which shows that Conservative councillor and Deputy Leader of Hillingdon Council, Richard Mills, has been using this function to engage with residents on local issues, commenting as if he were an ordinary resident himself.
Among the comments, he referred to local residents campaigning for financial transparency - including a family that campaigned to save the Rural Activities Garden Centre - as "the usual rent a crowd".
Mr Mills frequently used the username 'DelightfulYuzu2877' to comment under posts relating to council matters in a way which could make people think he is a local resident, with no clear evidence to others that he is in fact one of the people making and influencing decisions. In Facebook groups, users are able to hide their true identity by commenting using a randomly generated username and display photo.
Cllr Mills has been the Deputy Leader of Hillingdon Council since May 2026. He was previously Chief Whip of the Conservative Group, a role now held by his father.
Since being contacted by the LDRS, the anonymous username for Richard Mills has been changed to 'CherishedBlueberry2754'.
Cllr Mills has defended the use of a pseudonym telling the LDRS he has used online groups as "a form of focus group to gauge public opinion on a variety of local issues". He says his actions are not in breach of Facebook's guidelines.
In one comment under a post about HMOs, Cllr Mills says "...So we have Reform in West Drayton now and they let this happen. What is Counsellor (sic) Capps doing about this. Said they would stop all HMOs. 2 months since the vote and I’ve not seen or heard him do anything for our area.”
He then added: ”... But i voted for reform and was told that they won here and Yiewsley and Heathrow so why don’t they stop this hmo…"
Cllr Richard Mills does not live in West Drayton according to the local Conservatives' website, and therefore could not have voted for Reform there.
On the recent council decision to close the tip in West Drayton, he also appeared to suggest council decisions about such closures could be based on which areas voted for the ruling party. He wrote: “West Drayton chose a mix of opposition representatives on the council so probably part of what happens when picking the losing side.”
Cllr Mills, who lives in and represents South Ruislip, confirmed to the LDRS that it is him behind the username 'DelightfulYuzu2977', which has been making these comments. He said: “Whilst others in local politics have operated fake profiles and accounts, the approach I have taken has been in accordance with Facebook’s guidelines, and I am fully aware of its policies in this area.
“I also understand that group administrators are able to see the names associated with profiles and that administrators themselves may hold a range of political views. My Facebook account is a personal account, not a councillor profile or page. I have used local community groups as a form of focus group to gauge public opinion on a variety of local issues.
“Using a profile name has allowed me to seek views in a way that encourages more open and unfiltered feedback. Posting as myself would inevitably risk responses being influenced by my existing political profile and people’s preconceptions about my views.”
Cllr Sophie Dror, Leader of Hillingdon Reform, described Cllr Mills' behaviour as "deeply concerning". She told the LDRS: "Honesty, integrity and transparency should be the bare minimum for anyone holding elected office, yet Cllr Mills has chosen to hide behind a pseudonym while repeatedly attacking Reform councillors and promoting political arguments as though he were an ordinary resident.
"His own explanation confirms that this was a deliberate decision, supposedly to obtain 'open and unfiltered' feedback. That is not how elected representatives should conduct themselves, and it is deeply concerning that a Conservative Councillor/Cabinet Member/Deputy Leader believes this behaviour is acceptable.
"Reform councillors will not be bullied, undermined or intimidated by political games played from behind fake identities, and we will continue to hold those responsible to account."
Hillingdon Labour believes Cllr Mills has breached the council Code of Conduct and called on him to resign as Deputy Leader. Cllr Sital Punja said: "Richard Mills has shown nothing but contempt for the residents he was elected to serve. As Chief Whip and now Deputy Leader of Hillingdon Council, he had a duty to lead by example.
"Instead, he used a fake online identity to bait, mock and deceive the very people he represents. Clause 8 of the Members' Code of Conduct clearly states that councillors must promote high standards of conduct 'by leadership and example'. Hiding behind an alias, first DelightfulYuzu2877, now conveniently rebranded as CherishedBlueberry4754 to continue to deceive residents, is the opposite of leadership. It's a clear breach.
"His justification that his wrongdoing was permitted under Facebook's rules is beside the point and, frankly, insulting. Facebook's terms of service do not set the standard for how elected members behave. The council's Code of Conduct does, and Cllr Richard Mills has broken it.
"Someone who behaves this way cannot credibly hold a senior leadership position. He must resign as Deputy Leader. Hillingdon Labour expects any complaints brought against Cllr Richard Mills to be treated with the seriousness this conduct demands by the council, and by Hillingdon Conservatives themselves."
Other comments included him appearing to be a resident supportive of council decisions, and one where he tells residents with complaints that they should put themselves forward for election. In one comment he responded to a resident complaining about the council and fly-tipping with: “Looking forward to see you putting yourself forward for election [user's name]. Wouldn’t want to get a reputation as one of those people’s who just complains continuously.”
Similarly, in response to residents campaigning against Hillingdon Council’s changes to rules around financial scrutiny, Cllr Mills commented: “What a bizarre thing to petition on.
“Residents had their say at the start of May. People were elected from 4 parties in Hillingdon. Let them get on with their roles. You chose not to try and get elected, much easier to be a keyboard warrior from the sidelines.”
The LDRS contacted the Hillingdon Conservative Group, however no response was received by the time of publication. The LDRS also offered Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Leader of the Council, the opportunity to comment.
He was asked if this conduct is acceptable in his deputy on a council he leads. Cllr Tuckwell did not respond.
Cllr Mills was also asked whether he actually voted for Reform, whether the council considers ward representatives when choosing the losing side of a policy decision, and asked whether he accepts he has misled residents. He did not respond to these specific questions.
Hillingdon Council was asked whether this is something which violates the council’s Code of Conduct. A council spokesperson said: "Like all local authorities, Hillingdon has a recognised complaints process for any potential breaches of the Member Code of Conduct, and it would be inappropriate for the council to comment."
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