Equalities Watchdog Writes to Reform UK Over Racist and Sexist Remarks Shown in Documentary

Britain's official equalities watchdog has written to Reform UK to raise concerns after an undercover television documentary showed the party's councillors and candidates expressing racist and misogynistic views, with one of its own MPs complaining about ingrained sexism.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) confirmed it had contacted Nigel Farage's party following the revelations in ITV's Undercover: A Year in Reform, which was broadcast in October.

Farage has insisted that the party's vetting procedures have improved greatly. Yet footage in the programme included Alan Feeney, a Reform councillor and deputy mayor of Solihull, calling Asian homeowners "parasites", making Islamophobic remarks and stating that "no more than 1% of [the] British population can be non-white".

Other candidates were recorded making comments of extreme violence and sharing deeply misogynistic and racist views. They included a Bromley councillor calling for King Charles to be killed and another councillor who made disturbing sexual and misogynistic comments about female colleagues. In a separate section, the Reform MP Sarah Pochin was shown complaining that the party was "chauvinistic" and riven with "alpha male shit".

The EHRC said its letter had asked Reform to provide information, "including what action the party is taking to comply with the Equality Act". Following the documentary, it said, the watchdog "received complaints alleging unlawful activity under the Equality Act 2010, including concerns about racial and sexual remarks expressed by councillors, prospective councillors and members".

"As with every complaint we receive, we will assess the information provided carefully and, following that consideration, take action where appropriate," the statement said. "Political parties, like all duty-bearers, must comply with the Equality Act and take steps to avoid discrimination or harassment including on the grounds of race, religion or belief and sex." The commission added that it has guidance advising parties on their responsibilities and urged them to consider it, which could include reviewing party policies or practices to identify areas of potential discrimination, harassment or victimisation that need to be addressed.

The move comes weeks after the EHRC wrote to the Greens in England and Wales seeking more information about a new party policy that equates Zionism with racism and calls for Israel to be replaced by a single Palestinian state.

Reform has said it reported ITV and the reporters involved in the documentary to police, while separately threatening civil legal action against the broadcaster.

Responding to the EHRC letter, a party spokesperson said: "We are confident we have fully complied with our obligations under the Equality Act. There is no room for racism in Reform UK."