The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has written to Reform UK to ask what action the party is taking to comply with the Equality Act, following an undercover TV documentary that showed councillors and candidates expressing racist and misogynistic views.
The watchdog's letter follows revelations in ITV's Undercover: A Year in Reform, broadcast in October. The EHRC said it had received complaints alleging unlawful activity under the Equality Act 2010, including concerns about racial and sexual remarks expressed by councillors, prospective councillors and members.
Footage shows councillors' remarks
The programme included footage of 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, including a Bromley councillor calling for King Charles to be killed and another councillor making disturbing sexual and misogynistic comments about female colleagues.
Reform MP Sarah Pochin was shown complaining that the party was "chauvinistic" and riven with "alpha male shit". Nigel Farage has said the party's vetting procedures have improved greatly.
EHRC response and party reaction
In a statement, the EHRC said its letter asked Reform to provide information, "including what action the party is taking to comply with the Equality Act". The commission added: "As with every complaint we receive, we will assess the information provided carefully and, following that consideration, take action where appropriate."
Reform has said it reported ITV and the reporters concerned to police, with separate threats of 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."
