Reform UK faces mounting questions about its candidate vetting procedures following an undercover investigation by a national broadcaster that exposed significant gaps in the party's screening processes.
Over the course of a year, an undercover reporter was advised by a local party chairman to remove social media posts expressing support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson before being encouraged to apply as a councillor candidate. The investigation also documented a former Reform candidate who claimed he was rejected by the party's vetting process on two separate occasions, yet was subsequently invited to stand for election despite these rejections.
The undercover footage revealed Reform members and candidates using racist, violent and sexist language. In response, Reform stated that the party had "improved and prioritised its vetting procedures" and acknowledged that "from time to time, a handful of individuals who do not share our values will initially make it through vetting," while asserting this occurs across all organisations.
What does the undercover footage show?
The investigation captured an undercover reporter meeting with Ian Frost, chairman of a local Reform branch in Chester, who described the encounter as "the first stage" of the vetting process. When the reporter mentioned previous social media posts supporting Robinson, Frost advised him to delete the content and start afresh on social platforms. Frost subsequently suggested the reporter could apply to stand as a councillor, telling him: "You might become a councillor. You might then want to go to the MP route. So, social media, yeah. And apply."
Frost later told the broadcaster he believed the reporter was a genuine candidate and had given him the benefit of the doubt. He stated it was unfair to judge individuals based on a single conversation and noted he had since departed Reform for unrelated reasons.
The footage also featured former Reform candidate Alex Lomas, who claimed he failed the party's vetting process twice, including once for sharing Robinson-related social media content. According to Lomas's account, he was rejected on a Friday but received an email on the following Tuesday stating he had passed vetting, despite making no changes to his application. Days later, he received a phone call asking him to stand for Reform. He subsequently ran as a Reform candidate in local elections in Oldham in May but was not elected to the council. Reform denies Lomas failed vetting initially, and the broadcaster has been unable to contact Lomas for comment.
The investigation also documented Bromley councillor Dean Miller making remarks about King Charles, stating the monarch should be beheaded because he was "a Muslim." According to reporting on the footage, Miller later said he was taking medication for a pain condition when he made those remarks. Additional footage showed other individuals making derogatory comments about Black children and calling for violence against the King.
How has Reform responded to the allegations?
Reform stated: "There is no room for racism in Reform UK. We always respect due process of investigations and whilst these are ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases." The party also accused the broadcaster of employing "extreme methods of deception" and using false information to gain access to Reform's headquarters.
Party leader Nigel Farage has previously claimed the party vets candidates "to a much higher standard than other parties," though he acknowledged that "you can't vet for future comments." Farage has stated that Robinson would not be permitted to join Reform.
The undercover report also captured footage from Reform's headquarters showing Farage discussing controversial mayoral candidate Dr Chris Parry, who had suggested that then Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy should return to the Caribbean. In the recording, Farage indicated Parry should apologise but not resign from his position. The party's director of communications Ed Sumner suggested Farage was "protecting" Parry, though in a separate conversation weeks earlier, Sumner described Parry as "clearly a racist" and said he "needs to go." After apologising to Lammy in January, Parry remained Reform's mayoral candidate in Hampshire and the Solent until his suspension in March "pending investigation" following comments about a Jewish voluntary patrol service. Parry has since left the party and told the broadcaster there was never an investigation, urging people to review the original context of his tweets.
What is the history of Reform's vetting problems?
Two years ago, Farage pledged to vet candidates more "rigorously" after Reform dropped a series of candidates who had made offensive or racist comments. However, the party has continued to face questions about the robustness of its vetting processes. The broadcaster's investigation covered campaigning during the May 2025 and 2026 local elections and four by-election campaigns across England and Wales.
What have political figures said about the investigation?
Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson described the revelations as "shocking and deeply disturbing," stating they "go right to the top of Reform UK." She called on Farage to "wake up and realise the buck stops with him" and demanded he explain why he allegedly stood by a "blatant racist" instead of removing him from the party. Phillipson noted that Farage has repeatedly failed to demonstrate leadership in addressing Reform's internal problems.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called on Reform to take "immediate and firm action" against members filmed using racist language. In response, Farage claimed the investigation was conducted because "the establishment frankly want us out of the picture."
What developments have followed the investigation?
Following the undercover report, Alan Feeney has resigned from Reform UK, citing "personal reasons," and will continue serving as a councillor as an independent. Chris Whelan has also resigned and will serve as an independent councillor.
When will the full documentary air?
Key Facts
- An undercover investigation documented a local Reform chairman advising an undercover reporter to delete social media posts supporting Tommy Robinson before encouraging him to apply as a councillor candidate
- A former Reform candidate claimed he was rejected twice by the party's vetting process but was subsequently invited to stand for election
- Undercover footage showed Reform members and candidates making racist, violent and sexist comments, including remarks about King Charles and derogatory statements about Black children
- Reform has acknowledged that some individuals "who do not share our values" occasionally pass its vetting process but maintains this occurs across all organisations
- The full documentary will air on Sunday 18 October, following calls from senior political figures for Reform to take immediate action against members involved
