A Reform UK activist who was aiming to become an MP for the party told an undercover reporter that Muslims could not be British and asylum seekers should be put in “concentration camps”.
The activist, who has not been named, was recorded as part of an undercover investigation by ITV that has revealed numerous incidences of racism and sexism from Reform UK members.
In footage broadcast on Sunday night, the aspiring Reform MP said he was ““pretty hardline about Islam.”
He said: “If a Muslim’s prepared to de-convert, I’m happy.
“But if they want to remain faithful to Islam, then this would be, I would have disagreements, especially with, um, I mean, as far as I understand, Zia Yusuf is a Muslim.
“To me… you cannot be a Muslim and British… it’s like oil and water.”
The Reform activist then started talking about asylum seekers crossing the Channel in small boats, saying: “In the first week of election, build concentration camps, and everyone who comes across on the Channel, you’re in there.”
ITV investigation uncovers racism and sexism among Reform members
He is one of several Reform figures to have been caught making horrific comments as part of ITV’s documentary.
Other revelations uncovered were:
- Alan Feeney, Reform councillor and deputy mayor of Solihull, described Asian people as “absolute parasites”, said that he wouldn’t canvass homes with Asian names and called for the forcible deportation of Asian people. He has since resigned from the party and every post he held on Solihull Council and Birmingham City Council.
- Chris Whelan, another Solihull councillor used the P word and made sexually aggressive comments about a female Reform member, saying “if she was my daughter it would still be bath night on a Thursday” and that he would sexually assault her if he gave her a hug.
- A Reform councillor in Bromley, Dean Miller, described Black children as “animals” and said that King Charles was a Muslim and called for him to be decapitated.
- Tameside councillor Raymond Dunning described himself as “so, so far-right” and said he would train up young men to go “house-by-house” to deport people and their children. He has apologised and resigned.
- Senior Reform party figure Gawain Towler said he was racist against a friend “every single day” at school.
The investigation also raised serious concerns about Reform’s vetting process.
Ian Frost, chair of Reform’s Chester branch, advised an undercover reporter seeking to become a candidate to delete social media posts associated with Tommy Robinson. He called it “politically toxic” but acknowledged that he agreed with a lot of Robinson’s views.
Reform’s communication director was recorded saying that he has to “start defending the indefensible”, with another press officer telling a reporter this happened “many a time.”
Meanwhile, Reform MP Sarah Pochin was recorded saying that the party has a “male issue” and accused colleagues of ‘excluding you if you’re a woman.’
Party leader Nigel Farage is also under pressure after telling a Reform official he was “protecting” a mayoral candidate accused of making racist comments about David Lammy.
Addressing accusations of racism from Reform candidate Chris Parry against Labour MP David Lammy, Farage pushes back against calls from head of communications Chris Sumner to sack Parry.
The Reform leader says Parry “must apologise to Lammy.”
“He must do it and move on … Tell him that from me,” Farage said, to which Sumner said: “You’re protecting him.”
To laughter, Farage replied: “It’s showing a bit of … bit of sorrow. Look, ‘I’m sorry’ is probably a good thing to hear. Just take the fucking deal. Trouble is he’s a rear admiral. That’s the problem.”
You can watch the full investigation from ITV below.