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Reform UK is once again under scrutiny regarding its candidate vetting procedures following an undercover investigation conducted by ITV News. The footage, collected over a year, revealed internal advice from a local party chairman urging an undercover reporter to remove social media posts expressing support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The reporter was then encouraged to apply as a candidate for local council elections representing Reform UK.
The film also features a former Reform candidate, Alex Lomas, who claims he failed the party’s vetting process on two occasions due to posting content linked to Robinson, yet despite these failures was later permitted to stand as a candidate. Reform UK denies that Lomas ever failed the vetting process. In response to these revelations, the party stated that it has “improved and prioritised its vetting procedures,” although it acknowledged that occasionally individuals who do not share its values may initially pass the checks. Reform added that this issue is not unique to their organisation.
This latest footage follows a prior broadcast also revealing some Reform councillors and candidates using racist, sexist, and violent language. Reform UK reiterated its opposition to racism and expressed that due process is being followed in ongoing investigations, cautioning against commenting on individual cases while inquiries continue. However, the party condemned the ITV investigation’s methods, describing them as involving “extreme methods of deception” and alleging the use of false information to secure undercover access to their headquarters.
Two years ago, party leader Nigel Farage promised more stringent candidate vetting after a series of candidates were dropped amid accusations of offensive or racist remarks. Nevertheless, questions remain about the effectiveness of these vetting procedures. Prior to the latest undercover footage being made public, Farage told BBC Look East that Reform’s vetting surpasses the standards of other parties but conceded that it is impossible to predict individuals’ future comments.
According to ITV News, one undercover reporter was encouraged by Ian Frost, a former local chairman in Chester, to erase social media posts supportive of Tommy Robinson. Frost described this as part of the initial stage of candidate vetting. Despite advising the deletion of such posts, Frost suggested the reporter could pursue standing as a councillor and potentially aim for a parliamentary role. Frost later explained to ITV that he believed the reporter to be genuine and gave him the benefit of the doubt; he has since left the party for unrelated reasons. Meanwhile, Reform leader Nigel Farage has publicly stated that Tommy Robinson himself would not be allowed to join the party.
The undercover report also highlights a controversial situation involving former Reform mayoral candidate Dr Chris Parry. Parry made headlines for remarks suggesting then-Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy should “go home to the Caribbean.” Despite demands for his resignation, Farage insisted Parry issue an apology but did not require him to step down. In footage recorded at Reform’s headquarters, communications director Ed Sumner accused Parry of being “clearly a racist” who “needs to go,” though Farage later suggested that Parry’s apology demonstrated remorse. Parry remained the party’s mayoral candidate until his suspension in March pending an investigation related to comments about a Jewish voluntary patrol service. Parry later told the BBC there was no formal investigation and that he had since left Reform UK. He urged the public to consider the context of his original tweets, stating that his criticism was directed at those in power acting against the interests of the British people.
In response to these developments, Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson criticized Farage, asserting that the revelations were “shocking and deeply disturbing” and implicated the highest levels of Reform UK. She called on Farage to demonstrate accountability and leadership by addressing why he allegedly supported a “blatant racist” within the party rather than expelling him, emphasizing that Farage has repeatedly failed to bring order to the party despite numerous opportunities
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