Reform faces questions over candidate vetting after undercover filming

Reform UK is under scrutiny after an ITV News undercover film exposed alleged shortcomings in its candidate vetting process, airing on Wednesday night. The footage, filmed over a year, shows a local party chairman in Chester advising an undercover reporter to delete social media posts that praised far‑right activist Tommy Robinson before suggesting the reporter apply to stand as a councillor.

The film also features a former Reform candidate who says he failed the party’s vetting twice but was still allowed to stand for election. Reform denies that the individual failed the process in the first place, claiming that it has “improved and prioritised its vetting procedures.” In a statement the party added that “from time to time, a handful of individuals who do not share our values will initially make it through vetting” and that this is “the same for all organisations.” The clip also shows some Reform councillors and candidates using racist, violent and sexist language, prompting the party to claim there is no room for racism and that due process will be respected in ongoing investigations.

Reform MP Robert Jenrick said all political parties have “bad apples” and that he “didn’t like what I heard in the documentary,” but argued the party had acted quickly to remove or suspend those shown in the film. He rejected claims that the undercover reporters sought evidence of party leader Nigel Farage acting inappropriately, saying they had not succeeded. Farage, who pledged to vet candidates more rigorously two years ago, defended the party’s standards, stating that they vet “to a much higher standard than other parties,” but conceded that “you can’t vet for future comments.” Reform has accused ITV of using “extreme methods of deception” and false information to secure an undercover role in its headquarters.

The revelations come at a time when Reform’s reputation is already fragile. The party faces pressure to overhaul its vetting procedures and to demonstrate that it can prevent extremist views from entering local councils. If the investigation finds systemic failures, Reform could face a loss of public trust and potential electoral setbacks, especially as the next local election cycle approaches. The outcome of the inquiry will determine whether the party can regain credibility or whether it will continue to be mired in questions over its internal controls.