Nigel Farage has done more to tackle racism and the far-right than ‘almost anybody’, Robert Jenrick claims
Robert Jenrick said Nigel Farage had done more than “almost anybody” to oppose racism and the far right, as he defended Reform UK after an undercover investigation recorded party members using racist language. Jenrick said the party had suspended or removed those involved and rejected claims that such conduct was more common in Reform than in other parties.
The ITV footage also showed Farage discussing how to handle comments by Hampshire and the Solent mayoral candidate Chris Parry, who had said David Lammy should “go home to the Caribbean”; Parry later apologised for any offence caused. Jenrick argued the investigation had not caught Farage acting inappropriately, while critics have previously condemned remarks by Farage, including a 2016 anti-migrant poster and comments about Glasgow schoolchildren.
- Jenrick defended Farage amid new racism allegations against Reform UK.
- Undercover footage recorded party members using racist language.
- Farage discussed an apology after Chris Parry’s remarks about David Lammy.
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Reform UK is a British political party led by Nigel Farage, whose campaigning has focused on immigration, national identity and opposition to established parties. Robert Jenrick is a Conservative politician who has spoken in support of Reform and Farage.
Racism and the far right refer to beliefs and movements that promote racial hierarchy or hostility towards people from particular ethnic backgrounds. Political parties can suspend or remove members over their conduct, while disputes about the meaning and impact of politicians’ words often shape public debate about their record.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Jenrick’s defence is that Farage has publicly opposed racism and the far right over many years, and that Reform acted against members recorded using racist language. He can argue the footage did not show Farage himself using such language and that isolated misconduct should not be treated as proof that the party tolerates it more than others.
The case against
Critics can argue that opposing racism requires more than condemning some members: leaders also set standards through their own past rhetoric and how they respond when colleagues make discriminatory remarks. The footage of Farage discussing how to handle Parry’s comment, alongside earlier remarks critics have condemned, may therefore raise questions about whether his actions match Jenrick’s praise.