Reform UK has suspended a would-be parliamentary candidate after undercover footage showed him saying that Muslims cannot be British and calling for asylum seekers to be placed in concentration camps.
Jason Powell made the remarks during an investigation by ITV, which has already prompted accusations of "appalling behaviour" and "extreme racism" against the party. He was filmed at the "Farage Fest" party held after Nigel Farage was re-elected MP for Clacton.
Hardline views on Islam and migrants
In footage due to be broadcast on Sunday, the activist and aspiring MP describes himself as "pretty hardline about Islam". He says: "If a Muslim's prepared to de-convert, I'm happy. But if they want to remain faithful to Islam, then this would be - I would have disagreements - especially with, um, I mean, as far as I understand, (Reform home affairs spokesman) Zia Yusuf is a Muslim... To me... you cannot be a Muslim and British… it's like oil and water."
On people crossing the Channel in small boats, the same activist says: "In the first week of election, build concentration camps, and everyone who comes across on the Channel, you're in there."
Party response and other cases
Asked to confirm if Mr Powell has been suspended, a Reform 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."
The spokesman said no further action would be taken against Reform councillors Adam Parkins and David Kerr, who told an undercover ITV reporter they would execute or "machine gun down" grooming gang members. He said: "Cllrs Parkins and Kerr were giving their own personal opinions on the death penalty for members of child rape gangs in what they believed was a private conversation. We will not be taking further action against them."
Broader investigation findings
Excerpts from ITV's investigation released earlier in the week include councillors and candidates within Reform using racist language. In one clip, black children are referred to as "animals", while in another, a Reform member says his area has become "infested" with Asian families.
In a separate clip, Reform MP Sarah Pochin describes the party as "chauvinistic", adding: "They just exclude you if you're a woman."
Mr Farage, speaking earlier in the week, said while Reform carries out vetting, it can't vet people for what they say in the future. He added: "I put it to you, if you went and spoke to hundreds of Conservative councillors and tried to provoke them, you would find all sorts of things and all sorts of comments said."
In a statement to ITV, Reform UK said: "Reform UK has improved and prioritised its vetting procedures, but from time to time, a handful of individuals who do not share our values will initially make it through vetting. This is the same for all organisations. However good the vetting, one cannot vet a future comment. There is no room for racism in Reform UK. We always respect due process of investigations, and whilst these are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases."
Labour Party Chair Bridget Phillipson said Mr Farage's response to the revelations showed he was "completely unfit to lead". She said: "Bad apples don't fall far from the tree. The sleaze, scandals and appalling revelations of racism and rank misogyny piling up by the day go right to the top of Reform UK. Nigel Farage is incapable of taking responsibility and getting his house in order because he himself shares culpability."
