Reform UK Faces Scrutiny Over Candidate Vetting After Undercover Investigation
ITV documentary reveals racist, sexist remarks and internal complaints of chauvinism within party ranks, prompting resignations.
Callum Smith
Several Reform councillors have resigned following an ITV undercover investigation.
Undercover footage captured Nigel Farage advising Reform UK candidate Chris Parry to apologize for racist remarks. Parry had previously posted a social media message telling David Lammy to 'go home to the Caribbean'. Farage acknowledged the party cannot predict what candidates might say when provoked or under the influence of alcohol.
The investigation revealed councillors describing black children as 'animals', making sexist jokes, and suggesting the King should be beheaded. One Reform member admitted the party's vetting philosophy involves assessing if applicants are 'a f*ing lunatic' and likely to cause bad headlines.
It’s really tough being a girl with all of this alpha male shit going on.
Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin complained about a chauvinistic culture and the exclusion of women within the party leadership. Pochin, elected as the Reform MP for Runcorn and Helsby in May 2025, stated, "I go out on all the shows, and go: ‘Oh no, it’s lovely, oh they’re all so welcoming.’ Shit… they just exclude you if you’re a woman… It’s really tough being a girl with all of this alpha male shit going on."
Reform UK maintains it carries out vetting checks on all election candidates. However, a candidate was rejected twice for supporting Tommy Robinson but later invited to stand in an election. George Madgwick, Reform's Hampshire leader, voiced support for the Portsmouth Patriots anti-immigration group.
Robert Jenrick stated that Alan Feeney served as a Reform councillor for a short time but a Conservative councillor for a longer period. Jenrick said, "That’s not my experience of Reform." He added, "I’ve spoken to Sarah many times. We are colleagues and friends and she knows that she can always rely on me. But it’s not my experience that the party has problems of that kind."
The investigation exposed a dangerous and unacceptable side to Reform UK.
Hounslow councillors Adam Parkins and David Kerr, representing Feltham North, featured in the investigation. Hounslow's Labour council leader Shantanu Rajawat condemned some of the comments made nationally. Green group leader Guy Lambert stated residents would be concerned by the views expressed. Liberal Democrat councillor Roger Crouch said the investigation exposed a dangerous and unacceptable side to Reform UK.