Reform UK's campaign newspaper, "The Reformer," sent to millions of households, prominently features Councillor Phil Tierney, who has called for all mosques to be closed and for Muslims to be barred from public office. The councillor, who represents Chelmsley Wood in Solihull, has described himself as Islamophobic and signed a petition urging the Government to "halt the political persecution of Tommy Robinson."
Controversial Posts and Party Response
In July 2025, Mr Tierney shared a post on X saying, "I am Islamophobic." He also reposted an image stating that "no communist or Muslim should be allowed to hold any office," branded Islam a "plague on this wonderful earth," and called for all mosques in the UK to be closed.
In May, the party said it was "thoroughly investigating these allegations." However, months later, Mr Tierney is pictured in "The Reformer" alongside the caption "Cleaning Up Britain." He appears fifth from the right by the heading 'Clean Up Britain'.
Political Context and Scrutiny
The revelations come as Nigel Farage's party faces pressure following an ITV Exposure and Hardcash Productions documentary that appeared to show Reform figures making sexist, racist, and other concerning comments. Additionally, research commissioned by Electoral Calculus, revealed by The Mirror, suggests Reform could miss out on dozens of seats at the next general election due to anti-Reform tactical voting, with anti-Reform sentiment growing over the last 12 months.
Bridget Phillipson, Chair of the Labour Party, said: "There is clearly a rotten culture of racism in Reform. Nigel Farage isn’t just tolerating these toxic views. He’s now putting them up in lights. As ITV’s investigation exposed, this is prevalent in Farage’s party, yet he refuses to act. For once in his life, Farage should hold his hands up. He should take action against his councillor's disgusting views and apologise for giving him so much prominence in his so-called newspaper."
Conservative Criticism and Reform's Silence
A Conservative spokesperson also criticised the party, saying: "Reform claimed they had improved their vetting. Yet they are distributing a national newspaper to millions of households promoting a councillor who shared posts supporting Tommy Robinson and claiming Muslims shouldn’t hold public office. Nigel Farage clearly doesn’t have what it takes to get his house in order."
Reform UK did not respond to a request for comment.
