Politics
Reform UK defends vetting after undercover probe reveals racist and violent remarks
October 16, 2026 at 08:55 AM · Updated 8h ago
Coverage
4 reports · over 17 hours
BNBBC News
Hampshire Reform councillor calls ITV report 'vote interference'
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BNBBC News
Reform councillor Alan Feeney quits over offensive comments
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TGThe Guardian
Jenrick claims Farage has done more to stand against racism than ‘almost anybody’
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BNBBC News
Reform faces questions over candidate vetting after undercover filming
(opens the publisher’s site)ITV has broadcast year-long undercover footage showing Reform UK councillors and candidates making racist, violent and sexist remarks, prompting the party to defend its vetting.
- ITV's investigation recorded Reform councillors and candidates using racist, violent and sexist language, including threats of extreme violence.
- Footage shows Farage resisting aides' calls to remove mayoral candidate Chris Parry over remarks about David Lammy.
- Jenrick said Farage has "probably done more than almost anybody to stand against racism and the far right".
- Reform said there is no room for racism in the party and defended its vetting procedures against ITV's "extreme methods of deception".
- Reform councillor Alan Feeney resigned from Solihull and Birmingham councils and left the party after undercover footage showed racist remarks.
- He was suspended from his prison-service job, with the Ministry of Justice calling his remarks 'despicable'.
- Jenrick said the party acted quickly to remove or suspend those featured in the film.
- Hampshire Reform leader George Madgwick accused ITV of 'electoral interference' after undercover reporters joined the party's Portsmouth election campaign.
- ITV denied the accusation, saying the programme was produced in compliance with regulations and in the public interest.