A Reform UK activist and aspiring MP was filmed telling an undercover ITV reporter that Muslims could not be British and that asylum seekers should be put in concentration camps. The footage, due to be broadcast on Sunday, adds to an ITV investigation that has already exposed racist language from other Reform figures.
ITV investigation footage
The activist described himself as “pretty hardline about Islam” and said, “If a Muslim’s prepared to de-convert, I’m happy.” He then said, “But if they want to remain faithful to Islam, then this would be, I would have disagreements, especially with, um, I mean, as far as I understand, [Reform home affairs spokesperson] Zia Yusuf is a Muslim … to me … you cannot be a Muslim and British … it’s like oil and water.”
Discussing people crossing the Channel in small boats, he said, “In the first week of election, build concentration camps, and everyone who comes across on the Channel, you’re in there.” The activist has yet to be publicly identified, leaving the comments tied to the role rather than a named candidate.
Reform UK response
Reform UK said it had opened investigations where activists or members had “clearly behaved inappropriately”. It also said, “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.”
The party added, “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.” Nigel Farage said earlier in the week that while Reform carries out vetting, “you can’t vet people for what they say in the future”.
Alan Feeney resignation
Earlier in the week, excerpts from the ITV investigation showed councillors and candidates within Reform using racist language. In one excerpt, black children were referred to as “animals”, and in another a Reform member said his area had become “infested” with Asian families.
Alan Feeney resigned as a Reform councillor for Solihull and Birmingham on Friday after racist comments he had made were uncovered in the investigation. Bridget Phillipson said Nigel Farage’s response to the revelations showed he was “completely unfit to lead”, adding, “Bad apples don’t fall far from the tree.”
Bridget Phillipson remarks
Phillipson also said, “The sleaze, scandals and appalling revelations of racism and rank misogyny piling up by the day go right to the top of Reform UK.” She added, “Nigel Farage is incapable of taking responsibility and getting his house in order because he himself shares culpability.”
The ITV footage due on Sunday extends the same inquiry into whether the party’s vetting has missed activists, councillors and candidates who later made racist remarks. The unanswered issue is whether Reform UK will take further action over the unnamed activist whose comments tied British identity to religion and called for camps for asylum seekers.
