Reform’s new “newspaper” sent to millions of people features a councillor who said Muslims shouldn’t hold public office and that all mosques should be shut.
Nigel Farage’s party sent out a campaign newspaper, called “The Reformer”, as the party tries to stabilise after collapsing in the polls.
The so-called newspaper shows Councillor Phil Tierney, who described himself as Islamophobic and signed a petition urging the Government to “halt the political persecution of Tommy Robinson”.
Mr Tierney shared a post on X in July 2025, saying: “I am Islamophobic.” He also reposted an image saying that “no communist or Muslim should be allowed to hold any office”, branded Islam a “plague on this wonderful earth” and called for all mosques in the UK to be closed.
In May the party said it was “thoroughly investigating these allegations”, but months later Mr Tierney is pictured alongside the caption “Cleaning Up Britain”.
He is a councillor for Chelmsley Wood in Solihull where Reform has 17 seats, with the Tories on 24.
The latest revelations come with Mr Farage already facing pressure after a documentary by ITV Exposure and Hardcash Productions, appeared to show Reform figures making sexist, racist and other concerning comments.
In a further blow, this week The Mirror revealed Reform could miss out on dozens of seats across the country at the next general election due to anti-Reform tactical voting, according to new research.
The survey commissioned by Electoral Calculus also found anti-Reform sentiment had grown over the last 12 months – as the right-wing party faces scandals on multiple fronts.
Bridget Phillipson, Chair of the Labour Party, said: “There is clearly a rotten culture of racism in Reform. Nigel Farage isn’t just tolerating these toxic views. He’s now putting them up in lights. As ITV’s investigation exposed, this is prevalent in Farage’s party, yet he refuses to act.
“For once in his life, Farage should hold his hands up. He should take action against his councillor’s disgusting views and apologise for giving him so much prominence in his so-called newspaper.”
There was also fury from the Tories. A Conservative spokesperson said: “Reform claimed they had improved their vetting.
“Yet they are distributing a national newspaper to millions of households promoting a councillor who shared posts supporting Tommy Robinson and claiming Muslims shouldn’t hold public office. Nigel Farage clearly doesn’t have what it takes to get his house in order.”
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Reform UK did not respond to a request for comment.
Reform ‘Newspaper’ Sent to Millions Features Councillor Who Called for Mosque Ban and Praised Tommy Robinson
A publication associated with Reform UK has attracted attention after featuring a councillor reportedly known for calling for a ban on mosques and expressing support for Tommy Robinson. The controversy has raised questions about the party’s messaging, the people associated with its political campaigns and the impact of its communications on Britain’s increasingly polarised political debate.
The publication, described as a newspaper and reportedly distributed to millions of households, provides another example of how political parties are using direct communication to reach voters beyond traditional television interviews, newspaper coverage and online campaigning.
However, the appearance of a controversial political figure in a publication does not, by itself, establish that every view expressed by that individual represents the official position of the party. Understanding the significance of the episode requires examining the councillor’s reported statements, the publication’s content and the wider political context.
For Reform UK, the controversy touches on an important challenge: how to communicate its positions on immigration, national identity, religious freedom and public order while responding to criticism about the language and views associated with some of its representatives.
The Reformer Targets Millions of Households
The publication, titled The Reformer, is part of Reform UK’s broader effort to communicate directly with voters. Reports published on October 23, 2026, said the party’s newspaper featured Phil Tierney, a Reform councillor representing Chelmsley Wood in Solihull. The publication reportedly formed part of a wider distribution effort aimed at millions of households.
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The strategy reflects the growing importance of direct political communication.
Rather than relying exclusively on television debates or interviews with established media organisations, parties can use printed publications to present their policies, highlight local representatives and explain their positions to voters.
For Reform UK, this approach offers an opportunity to promote its message on immigration, public services, national identity and political accountability.
However, distributing a newspaper on such a large scale also brings greater scrutiny. The individuals featured in its pages can become part of the public debate about the party’s standards, values and candidate selection procedures.
In this case, the controversy centres on why Tierney was featured despite earlier allegations concerning his social media activity.
Questions Over Phil Tierney’s Reported Comments
According to reporting by AOL and the Mirror, Tierney previously shared social media content expressing hostility towards Muslims and calling for mosques across Britain to be closed. Reports also said he supported a petition calling on the government to halt what it described as the political persecution of Tommy Robinson.
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These reported statements have attracted criticism because they concern religious freedom and the right of citizens to participate in public life regardless of their faith.
Britain is home to communities with different religious beliefs, including millions of Muslims. The right to practise a religion peacefully and participate in democratic institutions is an important part of the country’s legal and political framework.
Calls to exclude an entire religious group from public office therefore raise serious questions about equality, representation and democratic participation.
At the same time, public reporting should distinguish between the statements attributed to an individual and the official policies of the political party with which that person is associated.
The fact that Tierney appeared in The Reformer does not automatically establish that Reform UK formally endorses every statement he has reportedly made.
Nevertheless, the decision to feature him has prompted questions about the party’s approach to vetting and its response to allegations involving elected representatives.
The Tommy Robinson Connection
The controversy has also drawn attention to Tierney’s reported support for Tommy Robinson, the political activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Robinson has become a prominent and divisive figure in British debates about immigration, Islam and national identity.
His supporters frequently present him as a campaigner challenging what they consider excessive political correctness and inadequate responses to concerns about extremism.
His critics, however, have accused him of promoting hostility towards Muslims and contributing to social division.
The reported petition signed by Tierney adds another dimension to the questions surrounding the councillor’s public statements.
For Reform UK, the issue is particularly sensitive because Nigel Farage has previously sought to distinguish his party from Robinson and other figures whom he does not want associated with the organisation.
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This creates a challenge for the party as it attempts to broaden its electoral appeal while managing the views and public activities of its elected representatives.
Political parties regularly face disagreements between national leadership and individual members. However, when controversial statements repeatedly attract national attention, questions about internal standards and accountability become harder to avoid.
Reform’s Vetting Process Under Pressure
The newspaper controversy comes amid wider scrutiny of Reform UK’s candidate selection procedures.
An ITV undercover investigation published in October 2026 reported that several Reform councillors and candidates had made racist, misogynistic or otherwise extreme comments in secretly recorded conversations.
Reform UK said it had begun investigations into the findings and acknowledged that some individuals who did not share its values could pass through its vetting procedures. The party also said it had improved and prioritised its checks on candidates.
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The latest reporting about The Reformer has consequently raised questions about how the party handles allegations once they have been brought to its attention.
Vetting is not simply a matter of checking a candidate’s background before an election. Political organisations must also decide how to respond when evidence emerges about statements or conduct that may conflict with their stated standards.
Possible responses can include internal investigations, requests for explanations, disciplinary action or suspension, depending on the circumstances and the party’s rules.
A transparent process can help voters understand how decisions are made and whether the organisation applies its standards consistently.
For Reform UK, the challenge is to demonstrate that its procedures are effective while ensuring that allegations are examined fairly and that decisions are based on evidence.
The party’s leadership must also consider how its actions affect public confidence in its representatives.
Political Reactions and Public Accountability
The inclusion of Tierney in the publication prompted criticism from political opponents.
Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson argued that the decision to feature the councillor reflected badly on Reform’s approach to the reported comments. Conservative representatives also questioned whether the party’s vetting arrangements were sufficiently effective.
Reform UK did not respond to a request for comment on the specific newspaper controversy, according to the report published by AOL.
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Such reactions are part of the political contest, but the underlying questions extend beyond party competition.
Voters have an interest in knowing whether elected representatives respect democratic principles, how parties investigate allegations and what standards apply to people who hold public office.
These questions are particularly important for local councillors, whose responsibilities can include decisions affecting housing, planning, public services and community facilities.
Residents may disagree strongly with a councillor’s political views while still expecting that person to carry out public duties fairly and within the law.
Similarly, a party’s supporters may expect its representatives to focus on the policies they were elected to pursue rather than becoming embroiled in controversies that distract from local concerns.
What the Controversy Means for Reform UK
The publication of The Reformer demonstrates the opportunities and risks associated with political communication on a national scale.
A newspaper distributed to millions of households can help a party reach voters directly, explain its proposals and promote its representatives without depending entirely on coverage from other media organisations.
However, the greater the audience, the more attention is likely to be paid to the people and messages featured in its pages.
The decision to include Tierney has therefore become part of a wider discussion about the relationship between Reform UK’s political ambitions and its internal standards.
For Nigel Farage, the issue involves more than one councillor. It concerns how the party manages its public image, responds to allegations and ensures that the people representing it meet the standards it claims to uphold.
The ultimate consequences will depend on how the party responds and whether further information changes the understanding of the case.
For voters, the important considerations are the evidence surrounding the reported statements, the councillor’s response, the party’s decisions and the principles governing religious equality and democratic representation.
The controversy surrounding The Reformer highlights a central question for Reform UK: how will the party demonstrate that its commitment to political change is matched by effective accountability among its own representatives?
As the party seeks to expand its reach, its handling of such disputes will remain an important part of public scrutiny.