Reform UK faces racism scandal after ITV investigation

Reform UK faced a new racism scandal on Thursday after ITV News filmed party councillors and candidates using racist language in an undercover investigation.

In excerpts from the 90-minute programme “Undercover: A Year in Reform,” Black children were referred to as “animals.” In another excerpt, a Reform member said his area had become “infested” with Asian families and called them “absolute parasites.”

The broadcast followed Reform UK candidates and councillors during local elections in May and at four by-election campaigns in 2025 and 2026.

A Reform spokesperson said that “where members, activists and councillors have clearly behaved inappropriately, investigations have commenced.” The party said there had been suspensions in some cases and that due process must be followed.

The spokesperson said Reform had improved its vetting procedures but that “a handful of individuals who do not share our values will initially make it through vetting.” The spokesperson added: “There is no room for racism in Reform UK.”

Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson called the comments examples of “extreme racism” and said Reform leader Nigel Farage could not dismiss the revelations as “a few bad apples.”

The ITV investigation is due to be broadcast on Sunday.