Nigel Farage's Reform UK has faced criticism after a candidate praised small boat migrants as 'brave', contradicting the party's tough stance on immigration. The comments were made by Andrew Parker, a canvasser for the party in Clacton, who was recorded by an undercover Channel 4 reporter saying migrants crossing the English Channel should be used as 'target practice'.
Parker also used a racial slur against the Prime Minister and labelled Islam a 'disgusting cult'. In a statement, he said his views were personal and not known to Nigel Farage or the Reform Party. He apologised for bringing the party into disrepute.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan condemned the remarks as 'racist and disgraceful', highlighting the party's controversial comments. She also criticised Farage's claim that the West provoked the Ukraine war, saying it had 'cut through' to voters.
Farage admitted some candidates had 'said things they shouldn't have said' but compared it to the 'betting ring' scandal in the Conservative Party. He also faced scrutiny over the party's withdrawal of support from Basingstoke candidate Raymond Saint, allegedly a former BNP member.
The controversy comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned his campaigners they have 'one week to save Britain from a Labour government', while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faced questions about his party's support for Clacton candidate Jovan Owusu-Nepaul.
