Reform UK's London Mayoral Candidate Failed to Disclose Hotel Stake for Nearly Four Years
Laila Cunningham, the Reform UK candidate aiming to replace Sir Sadiq Khan as Mayor of London, failed to declare her shareholdings in a Central London hotel for nearly four years while serving as a Westminster City councillor. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) uncovered this omission, which may constitute a breach of transparency regulations under the Localism Act.
Undisclosed Stake in Family-Run Hotel
Cunningham holds a 5 percent stake in Plaza Continental Hotels Limited, a company that owns the New Dawn Hotel located at 95 Inverness Terrace in Bayswater. According to Companies House records, she owns 1,500 ordinary shares in the business, which she stated were gifted to her during childhood. The hotel is described as a family-run establishment founded by her mother.
Despite holding this stake throughout her nearly four-year tenure as a councillor, Cunningham only updated her register of interests this week following an enquiry by the LDRS. On her official Westminster City Council declaration, she had previously answered "none" when asked about beneficial interests in securities of businesses within the borough.
Potential Legal Breach and Council Investigation
The Localism Act 2011 requires elected officials to disclose any "disclosable pecuniary interest" in businesses operating within their elected area within 28 days of taking office. Failure to comply can result in criminal charges, a fine of up to £5,000, and disqualification from public office for five years.
Westminster City Council is understood to be examining the matter, though a spokesperson declined to comment on potential breaches of the Member Code of Conduct. The council emphasized that it is the responsibility of individual councillors to determine whether their interests meet the declaration threshold.
Candidate's Defense and Political Reactions
Cunningham has denied any wrongdoing, arguing that she receives no dividends from the shares and plays no role in managing the company. She described this arrangement as part of a "family agreement" with her mother. A spokesperson for Cunningham stated that her connection to the company has been publicly recorded via Companies House, including when the hotel was reported on last month, and claimed there has been no concealment.
However, Councillor Paul Swaddle, Leader of Westminster City Conservatives, criticized Cunningham's failure to declare her interests. He stated, "Cunningham's failure to declare her interests shows she cares more about her own personal ambition than being transparent with local people. Transparency rules are not optional."
Background and Political Context
Cunningham was elected as a Conservative councillor for Lancaster Gate ward in May 2022 before defecting to Reform UK in June 2025. She recently announced she would not contest her council seat in the upcoming local elections to focus on her campaign for Mayor of London. In January 2026, the Mirror reported that Cunningham co-owned a stake in the £50-per-night hotel, which has received numerous negative reviews.
The candidate also admitted that her employment details on the register are out of date. Her spokesperson added, "To avoid any doubt going forward, the register of interests at Westminster City Council has now been updated accordingly."
