Reform UK faces fresh questions over candidate vetting after undercover ITV filming

The footage, gathered over the course of a year and broadcast by ITV News, also showed a former Reform candidate claiming he failed the party's vetting process twice but was still allowed to stand as a councillor. Reform denied the individual failed vetting in the first place.

In a statement, Reform said it had "improved and prioritised its vetting procedures" and that "from time to time, a handful of individuals who do not share our values will initially make it through vetting", adding: "This is the same for all organisations."

The latest footage follows undercover filming broadcast on Wednesday night which showed some of Reform's councillors and candidates using racist, violent and sexist language. The party said there was "no room for racism in Reform UK" and that it would not comment on individual cases while investigations were ongoing.

Reform also accused the ITV investigation of using "extreme methods of deception" and false information to obtain an undercover role in the party's headquarters.

The controversy comes two years after leader Nigel Farage vowed to vet candidates more "rigorously", after the party dropped a series of candidates following reports that they had made offensive or racist comments. The party has continued to face questions about the issue.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Renewed scrutiny of candidate vetting could damage Reform UK's credibility as it seeks to position itself as a mainstream political force.
The claims go to the heart of how political parties handle extremism and due process in candidate selection.
The row could become a recurring issue for the leadership of Nigel Farage, with the party's response likely to face further public testing.

Background

Reform UK is a British right-wing political party led by Nigel Farage, a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union. Two years ago, the party dropped a series of candidates following reports of offensive or racist comments, prompting Farage to promise more rigorous vetting. The latest ITV investigation suggests the party is still facing questions about whether those promises have been delivered.

Key Perspectives

Reform UK: The party says vetting has been improved and prioritised, insists there is no room for racism in the party, and argues that a few unsuitable individuals will slip through any organisation's checks. It also accuses ITV of deception in how its reporter obtained an undercover role. ITV News: The broadcaster's investigation, conducted over a year, recorded a local party chairman advising a reporter to delete social media posts supportive of Tommy Robinson and encouraging him to apply to stand as a councillor, as well as footage of councillors and candidates using racist, violent and sexist language. Critics and sceptics: The claim by a former candidate that he failed vetting twice yet still stood is raised as evidence that checks can be bypassed, and the party's denial may not settle doubts about how robust its processes actually are.

What to Watch

Whether Reform UK releases details of any internal investigations into the individuals captured in the ITV footage.
Any further response from the party leadership, including Nigel Farage, on how vetting has changed since his promise two years ago.
Whether ITV publishes further material from its year-long undercover operation.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources