Nathan David Michell

Key Facts#

Public Bridleway Obstructions#

Michell has twice blocked the Engine House Trail, a public bridleway running from Truro to Hayle that passes through his farm at Carharrack. Both times, Cornwall Council confirmed he had no permission to close the path.

The Appointment Controversy#

In November 2025 Michell was reported as the new Chairman of the Camborne, Redruth and Hayle branch, replacing former chair Roger Tarrant. Reform UK said that because the branch was not fully constituted, only the regional director — Paul Mills, the South West Regional Director — could appoint a branch chairman (Cornwall Live, 11 November 2025). The appointment was made without any vote by local members — a replacement process Tarrant later criticised in his April 2026 resignation speech.

Branch members publicly protested, telling Cornwall Live that an unelected figure had been “parachuted in” to lead their constituency. Reform UK's national party defended the decision, arguing the branch was “not fully constituted” and therefore not entitled to elect its own chairman. The party said then that once the branch was fully constituted it would hold a Special General Meeting at which members would elect a chairman (Cornwall Live, 11 November 2025). Cornwall Political Watch has found no public record of whether that meeting has taken place, so this page does not state who chairs the branch today.

Companies House#

Michell was director of three companies, all incorporated on the same dates in April 2012 and registered to his farm address. All three are now dissolved. His current business, Nathan Michell Builders, appears to trade as an unincorporated sole trader.

Connection to the Dobwalls Incident#

Nathan Michell is named directly in the secretly recorded confrontation at a Dobwalls pub in October 2025. In the recording, Alison Groves — then Reform UK's County Organiser for West Cornwall — describes how Michell came to replace Roger Tarrant as branch chairman:

“The person that's taken on Roger's place is somebody who was recommended by Roger and his name is Nathan Michell. Now, I'd never met that man before, ever.”— Alison Groves, recorded at the Highwayman Inn, Dobwalls (18 October 2025)

Groves goes on to suppose that it “must have been Paul Mills, had decided to put that Nathan in situ”; Rob Parsonage answers “No”. The recording therefore records her assumption, not a confirmation of who made the appointment. For the wider chronological account, see The Collapse and the list of Reform UK Cornwall defections.

Frequently asked questions#

Who is Nathan Michell?

A building contractor from Carharrack, Cornwall, who was appointed Chairman of Reform UK's Camborne, Redruth and Hayle branch by October 2025 without a vote by local members (reported by Cornwall Live, 11 November 2025).

Is Nathan Michell an elected councillor?

No. Michell has never stood for or held any public office. The Reform UK branch chairmanship reported in November 2025 was an appointment, not an elected position.

What is the bridleway controversy?

Michell twice blocked the Engine House Trail — a public bridleway from Truro to Hayle that passes through his farm at Carharrack — in April 2020 (with hay bales and a van) and August 2021 (with padlocked chains and screws). Cornwall Council confirmed on both occasions that he had no permission to close the path.

What companies has Nathan Michell been a director of?

Three companies all incorporated in April 2012 and registered to Chapel Farm, Carharrack: Allroofs Maintenance Limited (08033277), Allrise Scaffolding Limited (08030320), and Allplumb Maintenance Limited (08029916). All three are now dissolved.

Who appointed Nathan Michell to the Reform UK branch?

Reform UK said the Camborne, Redruth and Hayle branch was "not fully constituted", and that under its branch rules "only the regional director (Paul Mills) can appoint a branch chairman" (Cornwall Live, 11 November 2025). The party did not say in terms who made the appointment, and no published source found states it directly. On the Highwayman recording Alison Groves supposed it "must have been Paul Mills"; Rob Parsonage answered "No".

Sources#

This investigation draws on publicly available records including BBC News, Cornwall Live, ITV News West Country, The Guardian, and Companies House filings. No private or restricted databases were accessed.