Undercover Probe Exposes Reform UK Candidates' Racist, Misogynistic Remarks

Dean Miller, a Reform councillor from Bromley, was filmed making prejudiced remarks about people of color and illegal immigrants. Councillor Alan Feeney resigned from Reform UK, citing personal reasons after the film showed him.

Reform UK stated that investigations have started for members, activists, and councillors who behaved inappropriately. Party sources indicated that individuals involved in the report had either been suspended or had left the party.

Nigel Farage suggested 'the establishment' politically motivated the investigation. He stated, "It’s just that you never will see an expensive investigation like that into the other parties because the establishment frankly want us out of the picture."

Farage also claimed that one of the individuals filmed had previously been a Conservative councillor. He added, "We deal appropriately always with people saying and doing bad things, no question about that."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak commented on the investigation during a visit to the North West. He called for firm action against those making abhorrent comments. The Prime Minister stated, "There is no place for any form of racism, antisemitism, discrimination in British politics, and we all should be relentless in repeating that and taking the firmest possible action."

Sunak further added, "I’m pleased ITV has done this." He expressed hope that "the Reform Party will take immediate and firm action against those who’ve been revealed to be making these abhorrent comments."

Kemi Badenoch distanced the Conservative Party from Reform UK, stating they are not doing deals with them. Badenoch said, "The reported comments show yet again why we’re not doing deals with Reform. We want Reform voters back, not Reform politicians."

Reform UK claims to have improved and prioritized its vetting procedures. However, Farage noted, "We vet much more heavily than the other parties, but you can’t vet against what somebody might say in the future, especially if they’re provoked in conversation."

Reform eventually suspended candidate Chris Parry in March after remarks he made about David Lammy and other minority ethnic politicians were revealed. Mr Parry's social media post, made in January, reportedly stated that David Lammy should 'go home to the Caribbean where his loyalty lies' in relation to speculation about reparations for slavery.

Labour described Mr Parry's remarks as 'racist and grossly offensive' at the time. Mr Parry later apologised for any distress or offence caused. Raymond Dunning, another individual associated with Reform, described himself as 'far-far right'.

A Reform UK branch chair, Ian Frost, reportedly advised a reporter to delete their social media account if they had posted in support of Tommy Robinson. Reform MP Sarah Pochin stated that senior party officials 'just exclude you if you are a woman' and and described the environment as 'alpha male sh'.

Reform UK has over 2,300 local councillors. The party did not announce its slate of candidates for the recent assembly elections in Wales until the last minute.

Former leader of Reform in Wales, Nathan Gill, was reportedly jailed for taking bribes.

Mr Farage was visiting Chelmsford in Essex on Thursday. Security staff kept a woman who heckled Mr Farage from a distance away. His press conference near Southend for Thursday morning was cancelled late Wednesday evening, reportedly to avoid clashing with the fifth anniversary of the murder of former Southend MP David Amess.