In the run-up to the 2026 local election, Feeney was filmed undercover with Reform local election candidates Jamie Campbell and Chris Whelan talking about where a local mosque might be being built. Campbell said: “There’s got to be a way of stopping that. Like, go and buy some pork chops… we’ll bury it in the ground.”

In one instance, Whelan was filmed talking about a female Reform candidate where he said: “F*** me, if she was my daughter, it would still be bath night on a Thursday… Time for your bath… I’ll wash you properly this time. Yes. Dirty bastard”. In response, Feeney said: “Oh god, we’re all going to end up in the papers”.

Miller told ITV he is a disabled individual who was heavily medicated at the time, and he has resigned from Reform.

He added: “First thing you’re f****** gone, bang… And then I’d pick up the pieces after that… 18 to 30-year-old young lads, train them up in the army in insurgency tactics so they can go street by street, house by house, picking the c**** up.”

This is the latest scandal to plunge Nigel Farage’s party into crisis despite his attempts to improve its professionalism.

In July 2024, Mr Farage acknowledged his party had “a few bad apples” but promised they “will be long gone, and we will never have any of their type back in our organisation. You have my 100% promise on that.”

Channel 4 News broadcast an undercover investigation by Verbatim Investigations in September 2026 which exposed senior figures in Reform UK discussing potential breaches of UK party funding laws.

All the councillors identified in the ITV sting have either been suspended or left the party, Reform UK confirmed last night.

Reform UK said: “Where members, activists and councillors have clearly behaved inappropriately, investigations have commenced. In some cases, there have been suspensions and due process must be followed.

“Reform UK has improved and prioritised its vetting procedures, but from time to time, a handful of individuals who do not share our values will initially make it through vetting. This is the same for all organisations.”

Labour chair Bridget Phillipson MP said: “The extreme racism and appalling behaviour exposed by this investigation is truly sickening.

“Nigel Farage needs to explain why this keeps happening in his party and why he is failing to deal with blatant racism among those who stand for public office with his backing. It’s clear that Farage and his party are determined to poison our politics and threaten the shared British values Labour will always proudly defend.

“As every day passes, the evidence piles up yet higher as to why Nigel Farage and Reform are completely unfit for office.”

Undercover: A Year In Reform, Sunday 18th October at 10.20pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player.

Reform UK Plunged Into New Scandal as Undercover ITV Probe Exposes Violent, Racist Threats

Reform UK has been thrust into a fresh political controversy following reports of an undercover ITV investigation exposing alleged violent and racist threats connected to individuals associated with the party. The allegations raise serious questions about political accountability, the standards expected of people working in politics and the responsibility of party leaders to respond when disturbing behaviour comes to light.

The controversy comes amid intense debate over immigration, national identity, public safety and the future direction of British politics. Reform UK has built much of its political appeal around promises to change immigration policy, challenge the established parties and address concerns among voters who feel that successive governments have failed to listen to them. Any allegations involving racist language or threats of violence could therefore create a difficult test for the party’s leadership.

However, the details matter. Allegations revealed through an undercover investigation must be assessed according to the evidence, the identity and roles of the people involved, and the responses provided by those concerned. It would be unfair to assume that the conduct of particular individuals automatically represents every member, supporter or voter associated with Reform UK.

At the same time, political organisations have a responsibility to take credible allegations seriously. The public is entitled to ask whether appropriate standards are being enforced, whether complaints are investigated properly and whether those responsible for serious misconduct face meaningful consequences.

The central question is not simply whether the investigation creates a damaging headline. It is how the party responds, what the evidence establishes and what the episode reveals about the standards governing political activity.

Why the Allegations Matter

Political parties compete for public support by presenting policies, candidates and a vision of how the country should be governed. Their credibility depends not only on their manifestos but also on the conduct of the people representing them.

An investigation alleging violent or racist threats can therefore have implications beyond the individuals directly involved. It can prompt questions about recruitment, internal oversight, workplace culture and the procedures used to investigate complaints.

Racist abuse can intimidate people, undermine their sense of belonging and discourage participation in public life. Threats of violence can also create legitimate concerns about personal safety, particularly when they target people because of their background, beliefs or public activities.

These issues should be treated seriously regardless of the political affiliation of the person responsible.

Yet it is equally important to distinguish between different levels of responsibility. A comment made by an individual employee, volunteer or supporter is not automatically an official party policy. The significance of the incident depends partly on whether the person holds a formal role, whether senior figures knew about the conduct and how the organisation responded once it was brought to its attention.

An evidence-based assessment must therefore establish what happened before drawing broader conclusions.

What ITV’s Undercover Investigation Reportedly Revealed

ITV News reported on 14 October 2026 that its undercover investigation recorded Reform UK councillors and candidates making racist, Islamophobic, sexist and violent remarks. The footage reportedly included comments about Asian families, Muslim communities and Black children, as well as statements about violence and sexual assault.

The investigation raises questions about how individuals with such views were selected to represent a political party. Candidate vetting is intended to help parties identify people who may be unsuitable for public office, but it cannot guarantee that every problem will be discovered before someone is elected or appointed.

The distinction between offensive speech and conduct that may breach the law is also important. Not every disturbing statement constitutes a criminal offence, and the legal implications depend on the precise words, circumstances and applicable law. Nevertheless, remarks involving threats or the encouragement of violence deserve careful scrutiny.

According to ITV, Reform UK said it had begun investigating the findings and acknowledged that some individuals who did not share the party’s values could initially pass through its vetting procedures.

That response places the spotlight on the party’s internal processes. If vetting procedures failed to identify serious concerns, Reform will need to explain what went wrong and what changes are being made to reduce the risk of similar incidents.

The investigation also illustrates the importance of independent journalism. Undercover reporting can reveal conduct that would otherwise remain hidden, although the resulting footage must still be assessed in its full context and any relevant responses should be considered.

Nigel Farage Faces Questions About Party Standards

Nigel Farage has positioned Reform UK as an alternative to Britain’s established political parties. His message has focused on immigration, national sovereignty, economic concerns and dissatisfaction with the political establishment.

That strategy has attracted voters who believe that the Conservatives and Labour have failed to address their concerns. However, a party seeking wider political influence must demonstrate that it can maintain appropriate standards among its elected representatives and candidates.

Following the ITV investigation, Farage argued that the establishment wanted Reform out of the political picture. He also said that parties could not vet people for everything they might say in the future, particularly if they were provoked in conversation.

There is a legitimate distinction between predicting someone’s future behaviour and assessing their suitability for public office. No vetting system can identify every future incident. But parties can establish clear conduct rules, examine available evidence, provide confidential reporting channels and act when credible concerns arise.

The central question for Farage is therefore how his party responds to the evidence rather than whether it can guarantee that misconduct will never occur.

If Reform wants voters to regard it as a serious alternative government, it must demonstrate that its standards apply consistently, including when allegations concern people who have helped the party win elections.

It must also explain whether its existing safeguards are adequate. Simply announcing that investigations are under way may be an initial step, but the public will want to know what those investigations establish and what consequences follow.

The Political Fallout Could Extend Beyond Individual Councillors

The immediate consequences of the investigation concern the individuals featured in the footage. But the political implications could extend further because Reform UK has sought to expand its presence in local government and build a national organisation capable of competing with established parties.

Local councillors are often the most visible representatives of a political party in their communities. They deal with residents, attend council meetings and make decisions affecting local services, planning and public spending.

Their conduct can therefore influence how voters perceive the wider organisation.

When allegations of racist or threatening behaviour emerge, residents may question whether a party’s public statements about fairness, public safety and community interests are reflected in the behaviour of its representatives.

That does not mean every Reform councillor shares the views expressed in the investigation. A fair assessment must distinguish between the people recorded, the party’s formal policies and the wider membership.

Nevertheless, the leadership cannot ignore the possibility that the controversy will affect public confidence.

Reform’s response will be scrutinised not only by political opponents but also by supporters who expect the party to demonstrate competence and discipline. Some may regard the footage as evidence of a serious failure in candidate selection. Others may agree with Farage that individual misconduct should not be treated as representative of the entire party.

The way the party handles the allegations will help determine whether the controversy remains focused on specific individuals or develops into a broader debate about organisational standards.

Racism and Political Accountability

The allegations also raise a wider question about the standards expected of people who seek public office.

Political debate should allow disagreement over immigration, integration, national identity and government policy. Voters must be able to question official decisions and demand changes to policies they believe are failing.

However, criticism of government policy is different from racist abuse directed at people because of their ethnicity or religion. Disagreement over immigration levels does not require describing communities in dehumanising terms or endorsing threats against individuals.

The ability to distinguish between these things is essential to a functioning democracy.

Politicians have a particular responsibility because their words can influence public debate and shape how communities understand one another. They should be able to discuss difficult issues directly without encouraging intimidation or treating entire groups as collectively responsible for social problems.

This principle should apply equally to every party. Allegations of racist conduct should be investigated regardless of whether the people involved represent Reform UK, Labour, the Conservatives or another political organisation.

Accountability should be based on evidence and consistent standards rather than partisan advantage.

Where misconduct is established, parties should explain what disciplinary measures have been taken. Where allegations are disputed, the process should allow a fair examination of the evidence and the responses of those concerned.

Such an approach protects both the people affected by harmful conduct and the principle that individuals should not be condemned solely on the basis of unverified allegations.

Can Reform Rebuild Public Confidence?

The longer-term challenge for Reform UK will be to demonstrate that its internal standards match its ambitions.

A political party can grow quickly by attracting dissatisfied voters, but expanding an organisation also creates practical difficulties. It needs suitable candidates, effective administration, reliable procedures and clear expectations about how representatives should behave.

Candidate vetting is one part of that process. Other important measures include training, codes of conduct, independent complaint mechanisms and transparent disciplinary procedures.

The party must also show that its rules are applied consistently. If serious misconduct is tolerated in one case but punished in another without a clear explanation, the credibility of the process may suffer.

At the same time, disciplinary decisions should be based on the evidence available and the seriousness of the conduct, rather than simply on the amount of media attention an incident receives.

Reform’s leadership faces a choice about how to handle the political consequences of the investigation. It can concentrate on challenging ITV’s motives and defending the party’s broader reputation, or it can also address the substantive questions about candidate selection and conduct.

Those approaches are not necessarily mutually exclusive: a party can question aspects of an investigation while still examining credible evidence and strengthening its procedures.

Ultimately, public confidence will depend on whether voters believe the party has taken the allegations seriously and made meaningful improvements.

Conclusion: A Serious Test for Reform UK

The ITV investigation has created a significant challenge for Reform UK by bringing alleged racist, sexist and violent remarks by some of its councillors and candidates into public view. The findings raise legitimate questions about candidate vetting, political accountability and the standards expected of people representing the public.

Nigel Farage has argued that the investigation forms part of an effort to push his party out of the political picture. But that political response does not remove the need to examine the reported conduct itself.

The party must establish what happened, determine the appropriate consequences for those involved and explain how it intends to prevent similar problems in the future. The individuals concerned should be treated according to the evidence, while the wider organisation must be judged by its policies, procedures and response.

For voters, the controversy offers an opportunity to consider what they expect from political representatives. Strong views on immigration or national identity are legitimate subjects for democratic debate, but public office also carries responsibilities concerning conduct, fairness and respect for the law.

Reform UK has built its appeal partly on promises to challenge established political practices. That makes the standards it applies to its own representatives particularly important.

The lasting significance of the investigation will depend on what follows. If the party conducts credible inquiries, applies its rules consistently and improves its procedures where necessary, it can demonstrate that accountability is more than a slogan. If important questions remain unanswered, the controversy may continue to undermine confidence in its ability to manage a growing political organisation.

The central test is straightforward: political parties should be judged not only by what they promise voters, but also by how they respond when the conduct of their own representatives comes under serious scrutiny.

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