Reform suspends members after undercover investigation exposes councillors making racist remarks
An undercover ITV investigation recorded Reform UK councillors and election candidates making racist and Islamophobic remarks, including describing Muslims as “parasites” and Black children as “animals”. Reform UK says it has suspended some members and begun investigations, while the footage has renewed scrutiny of the party’s candidate vetting.
The documentary followed candidates and councillors in England and Wales during local elections and by-election campaigns in 2025 and 2026. Recordings included a Solihull councillor advocating deporting Asian people and another making a degrading remark about a female candidate; the report also said one person called for King Charles to be beheaded, claiming the King was Muslim. Reform criticised ITV’s undercover methods, and two Solihull figures reportedly resigned from the party, saying their departures were for personal reasons.
- ITV recorded Reform figures making racist and Islamophobic remarks.
- Reform says some members have been suspended and investigated.
- The footage raises questions about the party’s vetting.
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Reform UK is a political party led by Nigel Farage. It campaigns in elections across the UK, including local council contests, where councillors make decisions about services such as housing, roads and waste collection.
Political parties choose and vet the people who stand as their candidates. Councillors and candidates speak in public and may influence local policy, so their conduct can affect how voters view both them and their party.
Racism refers to prejudice or unfair treatment based on a person’s race or ethnic background; Islamophobia means prejudice against Muslims. Allegations of such remarks can prompt questions about how a party selects candidates and responds to members’ behaviour.