Reform UK Faces Scrutiny Over Racist Remarks by Councillors

Reform UK is facing significant criticism after undercover filming by ITV News captured several of its councillors and candidates making racist, violent, and sexist remarks. The footage, gathered over a year, has prompted the party to state that "there is no room for racism" within its ranks and that investigations are underway.

One Reform councillor and deputy mayor of Solihull, Alan Feeney, was recorded referring to Asian homeowners as "parasites" and stating that no more than "one per cent of British population can be non-white." ITV News reported that Feeney had mutually agreed to resign from Reform UK citing "personal reasons" and would continue as an independent councillor.

In response to the revelations, a Reform UK spokesman said that "where members, activists and councillors have clearly behaved inappropriately, investigations have commenced." The spokesman added that while the party had improved its vetting procedures, some individuals who do not share the party's values occasionally bypass the process. Reform stated that all individuals filmed by ITV are under investigation and have either resigned or been suspended.

Labour described the investigation as "truly sickening" and asserted that Nigel Farage cannot dismiss these comments as isolated incidents. Conservative representatives criticized Farage's promise to make Reform UK "ready for government," arguing that these individuals prove his failure. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called the comments "chilling" and expressed concern for those in communities who might feel threatened by such sentiments. The Green Party suggested that the racist remarks align with Reform's policy of vilifying migrants and Muslims.

Nigel Farage has previously pledged to be "absolutely ruthless" in removing individuals who do not align with the party's vision and has stated he does not want Reform to be "a sectarian or racially based party in any way at all."