An undercover ITV investigation has filmed Tameside Reform councillor Raymond Dunning saying rival politicians 'should be shot against the wall'. The footage is part of a year-long undercover investigation by ITV News, which has led to Labour accusing Reform UK of 'extreme racism'.
Undercover investigation reveals offensive comments
The 90-minute film, titled Undercover: A Year In Reform, is due to air on Sunday, October 18, at 10.20pm. It contains filming of senior Reform politicians and officials working at its UK headquarters, as well as politicians campaigning for the party across Britain.
In one excerpt from the film, black children were referred to as 'animals', while in another a Reform member said his area had become 'infested' with Asian families.
Councillor's remarks captured on camera
The footage shared by ITV also saw an undercover journalist meet Raymond Dunning, a Reform councillor in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Mr Dunning claimed he has been asked by the party to run as a Reform MP in the next general election.
Mr 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 stated: "But we are a far-right party, and our policies are to f***ing kick these traitorous bastards out…"
He continued: "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."
Speaking about the leader of the right-wing party Restore Britain, Rupert Lowe, Mr Dunning said: "Lowe is right in a lot of things isn't he." When another vetted Reform party member said 'the best thing he [Mr Lowe] says is, I don't care. 'Well, you're being racist'. I don't care', Mr Dunning replied: "I agree with him [Lowe], I don't give a f**k. I'm worse than him."
Reform responds and Labour reacts
Responding to the ITV investigation, Reform said in a statement: "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.
"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."
Councillor Dunning did not respond to the MEN or ITV News' request for comment and is still in post. According to PA, party sources suggested the people involved had either been suspended or left the party.
Labour chairwoman Bridget Phillipson has accused some Reform UK members of 'appalling behaviour'. She stated that the examples of 'extreme racism' in Nigel Farage's party could not be brushed off as 'a few bad apples'.
Ms Phillipson has called on Mr Farage to kick anyone found to have made such 'despicable' comments out of the party, saying: "The extreme racism and appalling behaviour exposed by this investigation is truly sickening.
"Nigel Farage can't shrug these latest revelations off as being a few bad apples. Every Reform councillor, council candidate or party member found to have made such despicable comments must be thrown out of Reform UK immediately.
"Nigel Farage needs to explain why this keeps happening in his party and why he is failing to deal with blatant racism among those who stand for public office with his backing. It's clear that Farage and his party are determined to poison our politics and threaten the shared British values Labour will always proudly defend."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey branded ITV's report 'chilling', and said: "I feel for anyone watching this tonight who is frightened to see such racism and hatred festering in their community.
"It's the very worst of what we're seeing in Trump's America. We can't let it become Farage's Britain."
Meanwhile, a Conservative Party spokesman said: "Nigel Farage promised to make Reform ready for government. These sorry individuals are proof he has failed."
