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, Paul Mills — Reform UK's South West Regional Director — appointed Michell as Chairman of the Camborne, Redruth and Hayle branch, replacing former chair Roger Tarrant. 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.

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 was installed as branch chairman by Paul Mills to replace Roger Tarrant:

“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 explain that “Paul Mills had decided to put that Nathan in situ” — confirming the top-down nature of the appointment and the regional director's control over local branch leadership. For the wider chronological account, see The Twelve-Month 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 in November 2025 by Regional Director Paul Mills, without a vote by local members.

Is Nathan Michell an elected councillor?

No. Michell has never stood for or held any public office. His Reform UK role is an appointed party-branch chairmanship, 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?

Paul Mills, Reform UK's Regional Director for the South West, appointed Michell as Camborne, Redruth and Hayle branch chairman in November 2025. Reform UK defended the unilateral appointment by saying the branch was "not fully constituted" and therefore not entitled to elect its own chairman.

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.