Raymond Dunning, an independent Tameside councillor, has refused to resign following the release of an ITV documentary in which he was secretly filmed suggesting political opponents 'should be shot against the wall'.
Dunning, who represents the Ashton Waterloo ward, was among several Reform UK members identified in the ITV documentary 'Undercover: A Year In Reform', which aired on Sunday night (October 18). He resigned from Reform UK last week and apologised for his remarks, but remains as an independent councillor.
Secretly Filmed Remarks
In the footage, obtained by an undercover journalist, Dunning said: "I am so, so far-right, it's unbelievable… First of all, I'd deport every other motherf***er in this country that doesn't deserve to be here and their children as well. First thing you're f***ing gone, bang…"
He added: "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***s up."
Claiming that new Reform councillors are 'being schmoozed by f***ing experienced Labour councillors and independents', he said: "But we are a far-right party, and our policies are to f***ing kick these traitorous bastards out. How can you be a far-right f***ing party when you got your f***ing troops f***ing mingling with the f***ing enemy? They should be shot against the wall – that's what I'd do."
In a social media post, Dunning said he was 'deeply sorry' for the remarks, which were made 'during a private social gathering', and was 'unaware' that a reporter was present. An investigation has been launched by Reform UK following the scandal.
Demands for Resignation
The Tameside Labour Group has formally demanded his immediate and unconditional resignation, stating his comments are 'incompatible with public office'. The group's letter said: "The hateful and violent rhetoric you used, including explicit calls to forcibly deport legal migrants and suggesting that political opponents 'should be shot against the wall', represents an egregious violation of the Nolan Principles of Public Life."
The letter continued: "While we note that you have stepped down from the Reform UK council group, simply sitting as an independent councillor is entirely insufficient. A change in party affiliation does not dilute the extreme and dangerous nature of the remarks you made, nor does it restore the public trust required to represent a diverse and vibrant borough like Tameside."
The group also noted that Dunning's actions are now the subject of an active Greater Manchester Police hate crime investigation, adding: "For the good of the Ashton Waterloo ward and the wider Tameside community, you must vacate your seat immediately and allow a by-election to take place."
Dunning's Response
In a statement posted on his social media account today (October 19), Dunning refused to resign, saying: "I WILL NOT BE BULLIED. I WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED. AND I WILL NOT RESIGN."
He added: "Tameside Labour does not get to decide who represents the people of Waterloo Ward. That decision belongs to the electorate, not to political opponents demanding my removal. I was democratically elected by the residents of Waterloo Ward, and I take that responsibility extremely seriously."
Dunning said he has 'acknowledged that some of my language was inappropriate' and has 'taken responsibility for that', but stated: "I will not surrender my political beliefs, my principles or my right to express them lawfully. An apology for my choice of words is not an admission that my political opponents have the right to silence me."
He concluded: "I recognise the seriousness of the concerns raised and will cooperate with any lawful process. But political accusations are not findings of guilt, and demands for resignation are not a substitute for due process. My responsibility is to the people who elected me, and I intend to honour it. I AM STAYING. I AM STANDING FIRM. AND I WILL CONTINUE SERVING WATERLOO WARD."
Political Reactions
Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds also called on Dunning to step down, saying: "The recordings, including of Ashton Councillor Raymond Dunning, are shameful and damning. That isn't plain speaking or strong views. It's not pub banter or what the majority of people believe. It's violence and hate dressed up as politics, and it has no place in Tameside or the nation's politics."
Andrea Colbourne, leader of Tameside Conservatives, said her group 'strongly disagrees' with the remarks. She told the LDRS: "Everyone is entitled to their own views, but the language used in these comments is unacceptable. Talking about deporting people and their families, and describing individuals in this way, is divisive and risks creating unnecessary tension within our communities."
Ged Cooney, leader of the Tameside Independent Group, compared the situation to 'Triggers Me Timbers', the scandal that rocked Greater Manchester in 2025, when six Labour councillors were suspended over offensive messages in a WhatsApp group. He said: "I think we are put here by the public and there has to be a standard of behaviour. How we conduct ourselves is important. We are elected to represent everyone. I am really disappointed that we are here again."
Labour chairwoman Bridget Phillipson accused some Reform UK members of 'appalling behaviour', stating that examples of 'extreme racism' in Nigel Farage's party could not be brushed off as 'a few bad apples'.
A Reform UK spokesman 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. There is no room for racism in Reform UK."
