Full Breakdown
Reform UK scandal: undercover footage reveals extremist remarks by party members
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 14, Reuters reported that undercover reporters for an ITV documentary filmed several Reform UK members—including elected local councillors—making racist, sexual and violent statements. The footage, captured in the run-up to local elections, showed a candidate calling Asian homeowners “parasites,” another discussing burying pork chops to stop a mosque, a third using a derogatory term for people from Pakistan while making explicit sexual comments, a fourth saying he wanted to “take out” illegal migrants, and a fifth expressing a desire to train young men in military tactics to round up immigrants. ITV released extracts ahead of the full documentary scheduled to air on October 18.
Background & Context
Reform UK, founded by former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, positions itself as an anti-immigration party. After leading the polls for 18 months, the party’s standing fell as Labour regained popularity under Prime Minister Andy Burnham and as Reform faced a series of financial and ethical controversies. The undercover footage arrives amid this decline, intensifying scrutiny of the party’s internal culture and vetting processes.
Data & Statistics
- One councillor referred to Asian homeowners as “parasites.”
- Another suggested burying pork chops to block a mosque’s construction.
- A third used a slur for people from Pakistan and made sexual comments about a fellow Reform member.
- A fourth said he wanted to “take out” illegal migrants.
- A fifth advocated training young men to round up immigrants.
All individuals were elected or held local office at the time of filming.
Official Statements & Responses
The Conservative Party said “Nigel Farage promised to make Reform ready for government. These sorry individuals are proof he has failed.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described the revelations as “chilling” and expressed concern for communities witnessing “such racism and hatred.”
Defence Minister Luke Pollard condemned the suggestion of using lethal force against migrants, declaring that “we do not shoot unarmed civilians. We do not take military action against civilians.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “And now, you know, Bromley's like massive Nigerian communities there.” — Dean Miller
- “We do not shoot unarmed civilians. We do not take military action against civilians,” — Luke Pollard, defence minister
Why It Matters
The scandal threatens Reform UK’s credibility ahead of the 2029 general election, where the party aims to position itself as a government-ready alternative. Polls released after the footage show Reform slipping to third place behind Labour and the Conservatives. Internal divisions have already emerged, with party figures such as Robert Jenrick and Zia Yusuf publicly disagreeing on policy and rhetoric. The revelations also raise questions about political vetting and the party’s capacity to enforce its own standards.
What's Next
ITV’s full documentary will air on October 18, likely prompting further public and parliamentary scrutiny. Police investigations into potential offences related to foreign party donations continue, and Reform UK has indicated that disciplinary actions will follow the internal review. The outcome could affect the party’s standing in upcoming local elections and its longer-term viability.