https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1NQlpSoh4g

 

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 is facing renewed scrutiny following an undercover ITV investigation that reportedly captured disturbing comments and threats from individuals associated with the party. The revelations have raised questions about candidate selection, internal discipline and the responsibilities of political organisations as they seek public support. They have also reignited a wider debate about racism, political rhetoric and the role of investigative journalism in holding those who seek public office accountable.

For Nigel Farage and the Reform UK leadership, the controversy presents a challenge that extends beyond responding to individual remarks. The party has built much of its political identity around promises to challenge the established political order and give a voice to voters who feel ignored by Westminster. Critics argue that this message must be accompanied by clear standards for candidates and representatives, particularly when allegations emerge concerning threatening or discriminatory language.

The central issue is not simply whether the latest headlines will damage the party’s reputation. It is whether Reform can demonstrate that its vetting procedures, disciplinary arrangements and public commitments are applied consistently.

What the Undercover Investigation Raises

Undercover investigations can reveal conversations and behaviour that might otherwise remain hidden from public view. When the people being investigated are political candidates or elected representatives, such reporting can be especially significant because their words may offer voters insight into their attitudes and judgment.

The ITV investigation has reportedly raised concerns about violent language, racist remarks and threats involving people associated with Reform UK. The precise meaning of each allegation matters, however, and individual incidents should be assessed according to the available recordings, their context and the responses of those involved.

There is an important distinction between offensive political rhetoric, discriminatory statements and explicit threats of violence. Although all may warrant scrutiny in particular circumstances, they are not interchangeable. A responsible assessment should establish what was said, who said it, whether the remarks were accurately represented and whether any threatened action was credible or intended to be carried out.

Where recordings provide clear evidence of serious misconduct, political parties should explain what action they intend to take. Where individuals dispute the interpretation of their comments, those responses should also be considered before definitive conclusions are reached.

This approach does not diminish the importance of the allegations. It ensures that public debate is grounded in evidence rather than assumptions.

Pressure on Nigel Farage’s Leadership

Nigel Farage has made Reform UK a prominent force in Britain’s political debate by focusing on immigration, national identity, government accountability and dissatisfaction with established parties. That strategy has attracted supporters who believe the major parties have failed to address their concerns.

Yet a party’s public message is only one part of its identity. Its reputation also depends on the behaviour of its candidates, councillors, activists and officials.

When allegations of racism or violent threats emerge, the leadership must confront questions about how individuals were selected and whether warning signs were missed. Even if controversial comments were made by a small number of people, voters may reasonably ask whether the organisation had adequate safeguards in place.

Farage and his colleagues face a difficult balancing act. They may argue that the actions of particular individuals should not be used to characterise every Reform supporter. That is a legitimate distinction: membership of a political party does not mean that every member shares the same beliefs or accepts the same behaviour.

At the same time, a party cannot automatically dismiss every controversy as the responsibility of isolated individuals. If its selection processes repeatedly fail to identify serious problems, the effectiveness of those procedures becomes a legitimate subject of public scrutiny.

The leadership’s response will therefore matter. Clear explanations, fair investigations and proportionate disciplinary action can demonstrate that stated principles are being taken seriously. General assurances alone may be less convincing if they are not accompanied by evidence of meaningful follow-through.

Candidate Vetting Under the Spotlight

Candidate selection is an essential responsibility for every political party. People who stand for election are asking the public to entrust them with decisions involving public money, local services, community relations and, in some cases, national policy.

That responsibility requires more than checking whether a prospective candidate supports the party’s manifesto. Organisations also need procedures for examining relevant public statements, addressing complaints and assessing whether candidates can meet the standards expected of elected representatives.

Reform UK’s expansion has increased the organisational demands associated with recruiting and supervising candidates. As a party seeks representation across different parts of the country, it must balance rapid growth with effective oversight.

A robust vetting process should include checks proportionate to the role, opportunities to investigate credible concerns and clear rules concerning discriminatory conduct and threats. It should also provide a fair process for people accused of wrongdoing, allowing them to respond to allegations and ensuring that decisions are based on evidence.

No system can guarantee that every problem will be detected before a candidate is selected. Individuals may conceal their views, behave differently in private or make controversial statements after taking office. Nevertheless, political parties can be expected to respond appropriately when credible evidence emerges.

If the ITV findings identify weaknesses in Reform’s procedures, the party will need to explain what changes are necessary. If its rules were followed but failed to prevent particular incidents, the leadership should consider whether those rules need strengthening.

These questions are not unique to Reform. Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and smaller parties also have responsibilities to ensure that the people they nominate meet appropriate standards.

Racism and Threatening Language in Political Debate

The controversy also touches on a broader question about the tone of British politics.

Immigration, asylum, national identity and public safety are legitimate subjects for democratic debate. Voters can disagree strongly about border controls, deportation policy, integration and the responsibilities of government. Politicians should be able to discuss these issues openly, including when proposing significant changes to existing policy.

However, criticism of government policy is different from directing racial abuse at individuals or threatening violence against people because of their background. Political disagreement does not require discriminatory language, and arguments about immigration do not justify treating entire communities as responsible for the actions of particular individuals.

This distinction is important because political rhetoric can influence the atmosphere in which public discussions take place. When language becomes increasingly hostile, it can become more difficult for communities to debate contentious questions without fear or intimidation.

That does not mean every strongly worded statement should be treated as a threat, nor does it establish a direct connection between a particular politician’s remarks and an act of violence. Each case requires careful examination. But where credible threats are documented, they should not be dismissed simply because they arise within a political dispute.

Political leaders have a responsibility to make their positions clear. They can advocate tougher immigration policies or challenge their opponents without endorsing racism or intimidation.

ITV’s Role and the Importance of Investigative Journalism

The investigation has also placed ITV’s methods under scrutiny. Undercover journalism can be controversial because it involves recording information without the full knowledge of those being investigated. Its justification depends on factors including the seriousness of the issue, the public interest, the reliability of the evidence and whether less intrusive methods would have been effective.

Supporters of investigative reporting argue that covert methods can reveal behaviour that public figures would not otherwise acknowledge. Critics may question whether recordings have been presented fairly, whether conversations have been placed in sufficient context or whether the investigation’s methods risk encouraging particular responses.

Those questions should be examined through evidence rather than political affiliation. A broadcaster should be able to explain how its investigation was conducted, what material supports its conclusions and how it gave those implicated an opportunity to respond.

Equally, the fact that a report is politically damaging does not, by itself, demonstrate that it is unfair. The appropriate response is to examine the underlying material and the standards used to present it.

If the recordings substantiate serious allegations, the public interest in reporting them may be substantial. If particular claims are disputed, those disputes should be described accurately and resolved where possible through further evidence.

The same principles should apply when broadcasters investigate any political organisation, whether it is in government, opposition or outside the traditional party system.

Reform Supporters Should Not Be Reduced to a Single Label

One potential consequence of the controversy is that the debate could become polarised between those who regard the investigation as proof of wider problems within Reform and those who see it as an attempt to discredit the party.

Neither response should replace a careful examination of the evidence.

A political party can attract people with different motivations, experiences and priorities. Some Reform supporters may be primarily concerned about immigration; others may focus on taxation, public services or dissatisfaction with the established parties. It would be inaccurate to assume that all supporters share the views allegedly expressed by individuals in the investigation.

At the same time, a party’s broader support base does not make questions about its representatives irrelevant. Elected officials and candidates are responsible for their own conduct, while party leaders have responsibilities concerning recruitment, oversight and discipline.

The distinction allows the public to scrutinise specific allegations without making unsupported claims about every person associated with the organisation.

It also creates an opportunity for Reform to clarify the standards it expects its representatives to uphold and to show how those standards are enforced.

Political Accountability Must Be Consistent

The controversy has wider implications for political accountability in Britain. Parties frequently accuse journalists and opponents of applying double standards, particularly when investigations threaten their reputations.

Such accusations should be assessed on their merits. If credible evidence of comparable misconduct exists within another party, it should receive appropriate attention. But the possibility that other organisations may also have problems does not remove the need to examine the allegations currently under discussion.

Consistency does not mean every party must face an identical investigation at the same moment. It means applying fair standards, following credible evidence and avoiding assumptions based solely on political identity.

The same principle applies to disciplinary decisions. Serious misconduct should not be ignored because the person involved is electorally useful, popular with party activists or aligned with the leadership. Equally, accusations should not automatically result in punishment without a fair assessment of the evidence.

Public confidence depends on this balance between accountability and due process.

What Happens Next?

Reform UK’s next steps will be important in determining how the controversy develops. The party can respond by reviewing the cases identified in the investigation, explaining the relevant disciplinary procedures and publishing clearer standards for candidates and elected representatives.

Where wrongdoing is established, proportionate action should follow. Where allegations are disputed, the party should ensure that the evidence is examined fairly. If weaknesses in its vetting procedures become apparent, it should explain how those weaknesses will be addressed.

ITV, meanwhile, should be prepared to defend the accuracy and fairness of its reporting. The public deserves sufficient context to understand the allegations, the evidence supporting them and the responses of those involved.

Ultimately, the issue extends beyond the immediate political fortunes of Nigel Farage or Reform UK. It concerns the standards expected of people who seek public office and the ability of democratic institutions to investigate serious allegations without fear or favour.

A party’s promises on immigration, taxation or government reform do not exempt its representatives from scrutiny. Nor should allegations involving particular individuals automatically define every supporter or member of that party.

The appropriate test is straightforward: establish what happened, distinguish proven facts from disputed claims, hold individuals accountable where evidence warrants it and apply the same principles across the political spectrum.

For Reform UK, the investigation creates an opportunity as well as a challenge. The leadership can demonstrate that its public commitments to discipline and accountability are reflected in its internal decisions. Whether it succeeds will depend less on the force of its political counterattacks than on the clarity, fairness and credibility of its response.

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