UK's hard-right Reform hit by fresh scandal as racist views caught on camera
LONDON: Britain’s hard-right anti-immigration Reform UK party was hit by a fresh scandal on Thursday after party councillors and candidates were filmed in an undercover investigation using racist language.
Britain's far-right anti-immigration Reform UK party faced a fresh scandal on Thursday after councillors and candidates were filmed using racist language in an undercover investigation by ITV News. According to the program "Undercover: A Year in Reform," black children were referred to as "animals," while a Reform member described his area as being "infested" with Asian families, calling them "absolute parasites."
This broadcast followed Reform UK candidates and councillors during local elections in May and four by-election campaigns in 2025 and 2026. In response, a Reform spokesperson stated that investigations have been launched where members, activists, and councillors have "clearly behaved inappropriately," with some facing suspensions.
The party claims it has improved and prioritized its vetting procedures, but acknowledges that some individuals who do not share their values may initially pass vetting. Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson called the comments "examples of extreme racism," urging Reform leader Nigel Farage not to dismiss the revelations as the actions of a few bad apples.
Notably, Farage's aide Dan Jukes and head of policy James Orr resigned last month following allegations of the party flouting donation rules, reported by Channel 4 News. Reform soared in opinion polls last year but currently ranks third behind Labour and the Conservatives in a recent YouGov survey. The ITV investigation will air on Sunday.
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