Reform UK Councillors Resign Amid Racist, Sexist Remarks Scandal

Reform UK faces a significant setback after an undercover investigation by ITV revealed several of its councillors and candidates making deeply offensive remarks, including violent, racist, and sexist statements. As a result of the findings, three councillors have resigned from the party.

One recorded conversation features Cllr Alan Feeney, who was appointed deputy mayor of Solihull Borough Council in May, expressing extreme anti-immigrant sentiments. He described the West Midlands area he was canvassing as "infested" with Asian families, labeling them "absolute parasites" and advocating for their deportation. Feeney stated, "I'd be saying no more than 1 per cent of British population can be non-white... like literally drag them out of their homes, stick them on planes and f*** them off to Pakistan." He also suggested banning Muslims from holding public office.

Feeney has since "mutually agreed" to resign from Reform UK, citing "personal reasons," and will serve as an independent councillor. The party confirmed his departure.

Another Reform councillor, Cllr Chris Whelan, also based in the same area, was recorded making racist remarks and sexually suggestive comments about female candidates. He remarked about a female Reform candidate, "I'd have been sniffing that seat as soon as she got up." Whelan has resigned from Reform UK, attributing his decision to "personal and health grounds."

Cllr Dean Miller, elected to Bromley Council in May, made inflammatory statements about King Charles and migrants. He told an undercover reporter that "Apparently King Charles is a f****** Muslim... cut the c***'s head off." Miller also claimed that migrants crossing the English Channel "have come to rape and pillage and f****** kill us," and asserted that "we've been ethnically cleansed out of London." He further described black children vandalizing shops as "animals."

Miller informed ITV that he is disabled and was heavily medicated at the time of the recordings. He has also resigned from Reform UK.

A fourth councillor, Cllr Raymond Dunning, elected to Tameside council in May, expressed violent sentiments, stating that Labour councillors and independents who were "schmoozing" colleagues "should be shot against the wall." Dunning, who described himself as "so far-Right, it's unbelievable," did not respond to ITV's requests for comment and remains a member of Reform UK.

In response to the investigation, Reform UK accused ITV Exposure of employing "extreme methods of deception." However, the party acknowledged that "in some cases, there have been suspensions and due process must be followed." Deputy leader Richard Tice suggested that one individual caught in the investigation might have been a "Tory plant" deliberately trying to damage the party's reputation.