ITV News’ year-long investigation recorded Reform UK figures making racist, violent, and sexist comments, prompting investigations, suspensions, and resignations as opposition parties demand accountability.

Reform UK has come under fresh scrutiny after an undercover investigation that recorded some of its councillors and candidates making racist, violent, and sexist remarks.

 The investigation, titled Undercover: A Year in Reform, prompted renewed questions about the party’s vetting procedures and its commitment to tackling discrimination.

One of the figures recorded was Alan Feeney, a Reform councillor and deputy mayor of Solihull in the West Midlands.

 During the investigation, Feeney allegedly described Asian families in the area as an infestation and called Asian homeowners absolute parasites.

 He was also recorded saying that no more than one per cent of the British population should be non-white.

It was gathered that reporters went undercover among Reform candidates and councillors across England and Wales in the lead-up to elections in May and during four by-election campaigns across this year and last. Feeney, who defected from the Conservative Party to Reform in 2025, reportedly agreed to resign from Reform on Monday evening, citing personal reasons, and would continue as an independent councillor. 

In response, Reform UK said there was no room for racism in the party, adding that investigations had begun into members, activists, and councillors whose conduct was deemed inappropriate.

 The party said some individuals had already been suspended or had resigned, while acknowledging that despite improved vetting procedures, people who did not share its values could sometimes pass through the screening process. 

The revelations triggered strong criticism from opposition parties. Labour described the investigation as truly sickening, arguing that Nigel Farage could not dismiss the comments as the actions of a few individuals. 

The Conservatives said the footage showed Farage had failed to prepare Reform for government, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the findings were chilling for people worried about racism in their communities.

 The Green Party also accused Reform of promoting hostility towards migrants and Muslims.

The scandal puts renewed pressure on Farage, who has previously pledged to remove what he called bad apples from the party and said Reform should not be racially based. 

The latest investigation raises questions about how effectively the party enforces its stated standards and whether its disciplinary measures can restore public confidence.