Equalities watchdog asks Reform UK for information after complaints following ITV documentary

The EHRC says it has received complaints alleging unlawful activity under the Equality Act 2010, while Nigel Farage says the party's vetting is 'as rigorous as any other party in this country'

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Published2 November 2026

Updated2 November 2026

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The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written to Reform UK asking for information, including what action the party is taking to comply with the Equality Act 2010, after receiving complaints alleging unlawful activity following an ITV documentary about the party. The watchdog said the complaints included concerns about racial and sexual remarks said to have been expressed by councillors, prospective councillors and members.

A spokesperson for the EHRC said: "We have written to Reform UK regarding concerns expressed following ITV News' investigation, Undercover: A Year In Reform, which aired last month. We have asked for more information including what action the party is taking to comply with the Equality Act 2010."

The spokesperson added: "Following the broadcast of ITV's documentary, we 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."

ITV's Undercover: A Year in Reform aired last month. According to the programme, it showed Black children being referred to as "animals", a Reform activist saying that asylum seekers should be put in concentration camps, and a Reform member saying that his area had become "infested" with Asian families.

The commission said political parties 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". Its spokesperson said the right to freedom of expression is fundamental to democracy and must be protected, adding: "Similarly, everyone has a right not to be discriminated against, including on the grounds of race, religion, belief or sex. The right to freedom of expression and the right to be free from discrimination are not mutually exclusive and must be considered together. We urge those in positions of authority to balance these rights appropriately and respectfully."

Speaking at a press conference in central London on Monday evening, Nigel Farage was asked about the letter. He told reporters: “We are entirely confident that our employment procedures and our vetting procedures are as rigorous as any other party in this country. What you can't legislate against, what you can't vet against, is people saying stupid things in certain circumstances.”

The party has previously insisted there is "no room for racism" in its ranks, and suggested the people involved in the documentary had either been suspended or left the party. A Reform UK spokesman said: "We are confident we have fully complied with our obligations under the Equality Act. There is no room for racism in Reform UK."

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Analysis

Why This Matters

Britain's equality regulator has formally approached a major political party, and says it will assess the information provided and take action where appropriate, so the party's internal procedures are now under external scrutiny.
The letter follows a television investigation into the party's members and councillors, putting questions about vetting and candidate selection at the centre of the story.
The EHRC frames the issue as a balance between freedom of expression and protection from discrimination, a tension likely to shape how any outcome is received.

Background

Reform UK is led by Nigel Farage and is the party the EHRC has written to. The commission is Britain's equality regulator and a national human rights institution, and it oversees compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
The EHRC's letter follows ITV's Undercover: A Year In Reform, which aired last month. The commission says it received complaints alleging unlawful activity after the broadcast.

Key Perspectives

Equality and Human Rights Commission: says it has written to Reform UK asking what action the party is taking to comply with the Equality Act 2010, that it received complaints about racial and sexual remarks by councillors, prospective councillors and members, and that it will assess the information and take action where appropriate.
Nigel Farage: says Reform's employment and vetting procedures are "as rigorous as any other party in this country", and that people saying "stupid things in certain circumstances" cannot be legislated or vetted against.
Reform UK spokesman: says the party is confident it has "fully complied" with its obligations under the Equality Act and that there is "no room for racism in Reform UK".

What to Watch

The EHRC's assessment of Reform UK's response, and whether the commission says it will take further action.
What information Reform UK provides about its vetting and disciplinary procedures for councillors and prospective candidates.
Any further comment from the party leadership as the commission's review proceeds.

Sources

EHRC raises concern with Reform about ‘racial and sexual remarks’ in documentary · The Guardian
Equalities watchdog writes to Reform after complaints ‘alleging unlawful activity’ after ITV probe · The Independent UK
EHRC raises concern with Reform about ‘racial and sexual remarks’ in documentary · The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe EHRC wrote to Reform UK asking for information after complaints following an ITV documentary.The Independent UK: “The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has said it has written to the political party, asking it to provide information “including what action the party is taking to comply with the Equality Act”.”
SupportedThe EHRC said it received complaints alleging unlawful activity under the Equality Act 2010.The Independent UK: ““Following the broadcast of ITV’s documentary, we received complaints alleging unlawful activity under the Equality Act 2010”
SupportedFarage said Reform’s vetting was “as rigorous as any other party in this country”.The Independent UK: ““We are entirely confident that our employment procedures and our vetting procedures are as rigorous as any other party in this country.”
SupportedThe EHRC asked Reform what action it was taking to comply with the Equality Act 2010.The Independent UK: “We have asked for more information including what action the party is taking to comply with the Equality Act 2010.””
SupportedThe complaints included concerns about racial and sexual remarks expressed by councillors, prospective councillors and members.The Independent UK: “including concerns about racial and sexual remarks expressed by councillors, prospective councillors and members.”
SupportedThe programme showed Black children referred to as “animals”, an activist saying asylum seekers should be put in concentration camps, and a member saying his area was “infested” with Asian families.The Independent UK: “ITV’s Undercover: A Year in Reform showed Black children being referred to as “animals”, while in another excerpt, a Reform activist said that asylum seekers should be put in concentration camps. In another clip, a Reform member said that his area had become “infested” with Asian families.”
SupportedThe EHRC said political parties must comply with the Equality Act and take steps to avoid discrimination or harassment on specified grounds.The Independent UK: “The EHRC said that political parties 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”.”
SupportedThe EHRC said freedom of expression and the right to be free from discrimination are not mutually exclusive and must be considered together.The Independent UK: ““The right to freedom of expression and the right to be free from discrimination are not mutually exclusive and must be considered together.”
SupportedFarage spoke at a press conference in central London on Monday evening and was asked about the EHRC letter.The Independent UK: “Speaking at a press conference in central London on Monday evening, Mr Farage was asked about the EHRC’s letter to his party.”
SupportedFarage said Reform could not vet against people saying stupid things in certain circumstances.The Independent UK: ““What you can’t legislate against, what you can’t vet against, is people saying stupid things in certain circumstances.””
SupportedReform had previously said there was “no room for racism” in its ranks and suggested people in the documentary had been suspended or had left the party.The Independent UK: “The party has previously insisted there is “no room for racism” in its ranks, and suggested the people involved in the documentary had either been suspended or left the party.”
SupportedA Reform UK spokesperson said the party had fully complied with its Equality Act obligations and that there was no room for racism in Reform UK.The Independent UK: “A Reform UK spokesman: "We are confident we have fully complied with our obligations under the Equality Act. There is no room for racism in Reform UK."”