Full Breakdown
Reform UK Expels Three Candidates Over Past BNP Memberships, Undermining Farage’s ‘Golden Rule’
4/26/2026, 12:22:59 AM
Core Event: Expulsion of Three Candidates
In 2024 Reform UK expelled three candidates—George Parnell (Fleet, Hampshire), John Black (Blackburn, Lancashire) and David Prior (Gateshead, Tyne and Wear)—after a Mirror investigation matched their names to a 2008 BNP membership and contacts list. The party said they were expelled for “failing to declare their previous memberships of an organisation proscribed by the party.”
Background & Key Figures
Nigel Farage, former UKIP leader and Reform figure, has enforced a policy barring former BNP activists and warned he does not want to associate with anyone holding racist views. He claimed in 2014 to have done more damage to the BNP than anyone else. Reform introduced a less stringent vetting system in the previous year, a change criticised for weakening safeguards. The BNP, led by Nick Griffin from 1999-2014, once held dozens of councillors.
Timeline
- 2008: BNP membership and contacts list leaked.
- 1999-2014: Nick Griffin leads the BNP.
- 2014: Farage says he did more to damage the BNP than anyone.
- Previous year: Reform adopts a less stringent vetting.
- Early 2024: Farage reiterates his policy of barring former BNP activists.
- 2024: Reform expels Parnell, Black and Prior.
Official Statements & Responses
Farage reiterated his policy of barring former BNP activists and emphasized that he does not want to associate with anyone holding racist views. He defended the party’s recent vetting changes by noting that candidates may sometimes conceal past affiliations. A Reform UK spokesperson said the three men were expelled after failing to declare previous memberships of a proscribed organisation, describing the action as swift.
Criticism & Opposition
Hope Not Hate’s research director Joe Mulhall argued the party remains “riddled with extremists” despite denials. Anti-extremism observers say the expulsions expose vetting inconsistencies and raise concerns about other undisclosed links.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Parnell initially admitted he “might have become a member” of the BNP before later denying support. Black claimed a brief week-long sign-up then said he never joined. The leaked list mixes formal members with peripheral contacts, leaving uncertainty about each candidate’s involvement. Reform’s vetting criteria were not disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “anybody who has a racist point of view, I don't want to know” — Nigel Farage, Former UKIP Leader
- “I do not allow former BNP activists into this party. That’s a golden rule.” — Nigel Farage, Former UKIP Leader
- “I made a mistake a lot of years ago… when I found out what they were all about I didn’t want anything else to do with them.” — David Prior, Reform UK Candidate
- “I might have become a member, signed up for a week, realised, actually, what did I sign up for?” — George Parnell, Reform UK Candidate
What's Next
The three men will not appear on the upcoming local election ballot. Reform pledged a vetting review, and anti-extremism watchdogs signalled possible further scrutiny of the party’s candidate selection.
