Reform's Vetting Test: What the Undercover Footage Reveals

An ITV Exposure undercover investigation aired on Wednesday 14 October 2026, filming Reform UK councillors and candidates across England and Wales making racist, Islamophobic, violent and misogynistic comments. The footage was gathered over a year-long inquiry.

Among those recorded was Alan Feeney, a Reform councillor and deputy mayor of Solihull. He called Asian homeowners "parasites" and said Asian people should be "drag[ged] out of their homes, stick them on planes and f*** them off to Pakistan". A Reform councillor from South London called for King Charles to be decapitated because he "is a Muslim". A male councillor made graphic sexual and misogynistic remarks about female Reform candidates.

Reform UK said it was investigating and that some of those filmed had already been suspended. Three councillors stood down from the party. Nigel Farage postponed a major announcement due in Essex on Thursday morning.

Labour chair Bridget Phillipson called the behaviour "truly sickening" and said every Reform councillor, candidate or member found to have made such comments must be thrown out immediately. Reform deputy leader Richard Tice accused ITV of "criminal activity", saying one of its reporters had been employed by the party for several months.

The immediate facts are not in dispute: the footage exists, the party has confirmed suspensions, and three councillors have left. What remains unresolved is the scale. It is not yet known how many councillors and candidates were filmed, how many have been suspended or expelled, or what Reform's internal investigation will conclude. Further undercover material is expected.

The political question is narrower than the clips themselves. Farage has repeatedly promised to remove extremists and bigots from Reform. The party now has to demonstrate that its vetting and disciplinary systems can deliver on that promise — and that the response goes beyond the individuals already identified. Whether it can contain the fallout, and whether Farage addresses the calls directly, is still unfolding.