Reform UK Faces Scrutiny Over Candidate Vetting After Undercover Investigation

Reform UK is facing renewed questions over its candidate screening procedures after an undercover investigation by ITV News revealed how people with controversial views were able to seek positions within the party. The investigation, filmed over approximately a year, raises concerns about whether the party’s checks are strong enough to prevent individuals with extremist views from becoming election candidates or serving as councillors.

One part of the investigation showed a local Reform branch chairman advising an undercover reporter to delete social media posts expressing support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson before applying to become a councillor. The chairman described the meeting as an early stage of the party’s vetting process and later encouraged the reporter to apply.

The investigation also featured former Reform candidate Alex Lomas, who claimed he had failed the party’s vetting process twice but was subsequently invited to stand in local elections. Reform UK disputed his account, saying he had not failed its vetting process in the first place.

The revelations come after earlier undercover footage showed some Reform councillors and candidates making racist, Islamophobic, sexist and violent remarks. Among those filmed was Alan Feeney, a councillor and deputy mayor of Solihull, who made derogatory comments about Asian residents. Other footage showed candidates discussing ways to obstruct the construction of a mosque and making offensive remarks about other people.

The investigation has also raised questions about the party leadership’s handling of allegations against Chris Parry, a former Reform mayoral candidate for Hampshire and the Solent. Secretly recorded conversations showed senior communications staff expressing concern about Parry’s alleged remarks about Labour politician David Lammy and other politicians from minority ethnic backgrounds. Nigel Farage argued that Parry should apologise rather than be immediately removed. Parry was later suspended in March following further controversy and has since left the party. He has defended his comments as criticism of public figures and their actions.

Reform UK said it had improved and prioritised its vetting procedures. The party acknowledged that some people who do not share its values may initially pass through its screening process, adding that investigations were under way and some individuals had been suspended or had left. It also criticised ITV’s undercover methods and said due process should be followed before decisions were made about individual cases.

The controversy places renewed focus on how political parties vet prospective candidates, particularly as they expand and seek to contest elections across the country. Reform leader Farage has previously promised to remove extremists and strengthen screening after earlier candidates were dropped over offensive remarks.