Undercover footage revealed by an ITV documentary shows Reform UK officials discussing candidate vetting and internal concerns regarding mayoral candidate Dr Chris Parry, prompting criticism from rival party leaders as Nigel Farage faces questions over the party’s candidate screening.
An undercover investigation by ITV News, featured in the documentary Undercover: A Year in Reform and broadcast on October 15, 2026, has thrown Reform UK’s candidate vetting processes and internal culture into sharp relief. The clandestine reporting captured party activists and officials discussing how to handle applicants with controversial social media histories, while senior figures clashed over candidates accused of racism.
Chester Branch Chairman Ian Frost Advises Undercover Reporter on Social Media Scrubbing
During the documentary, an undercover reporter spent time leafleting with Reform activists before meeting with Ian Frost of a local Reform branch in Chester. Frost described the meeting as the initial stage of vetting.
🚨 BREAKING: Reform MP Sarah Pochin was secretly recorded by ITV saying the party has a "male issue" and "excludes you if you’re a woman" pic.twitter.com/OkkwO5k1lh
When the reporter mentioned past social media posts supporting Tommy Robinson, Frost advised deleting the accounts to clear the path for candidacy. Frost was recorded saying that candidates might become a councillor before eventually pursuing a parliamentary path. Frost told the network that he believed the reporter was a genuine candidate and gave him the benefit of the doubt, adding that he has since left Reform for unrelated reasons. Party leader Nigel Farage has previously stated that Robinson is barred from joining Reform.
Alex Lomas Claims Vetting Rejections Were Overridden Fast
The documentary also featured former Reform candidate Alex Lomas, who stated that he failed the party’s vetting process twice, including once for sharing social media posts from Robinson. According to Lomas, just days after a second rejection, he received an email stating he had passed.
‘Are we really going to say that Reform is unequivocally the most racist party?’ @NicholasTyrone says the comments made by Reform councillors in an undercover investigation are ‘racist’, but doesn’t think that should define the whole party. @NickFerrariLBC pic.twitter.com/oPKsYTllNL
Lomas stood for Reform in local elections in Oldham in May but failed to win a council seat. Reform denies that Lomas failed vetting initially, and the BBC was unable to contact him for direct comment.
Internal Clash Over Mayoral Candidate Dr Chris Parry
Footage from Reform headquarters revealed internal disagreements regarding Dr Chris Parry, the party’s former mayoral candidate for Hampshire and the Solent. Parry drew severe criticism during his campaign after declaring that then-Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy must go home to the Caribbean where [his] loyalty lies
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In the leaked recordings, Reform Director of Communications Ed Sumner told colleagues that Parry was clearly a racist and should be removed. Sumner also accused Nigel Farage of protecting the former British Navy Rear Admiral. Farage countered that demanding an apology showed a degree of remorse, captured in the footage telling staff: It’s showing a bit of… bit of sorrow. Look, ‘I’m sorry’ is probably a good thing to hear. Just take the f***ing deal.
apologise to Lammy…
Nigel Farage, Reform leader
Parry initially remained a candidate after issuing an apology in January. However, he was suspended in March pending investigation following separate comments comparing a Jewish community neighbourhood watch to Islamists on horseback. Parry told the BBC that no formal investigation took place and that he has since left the party, maintaining that his original remarks criticized government and police failures regarding reparations.
Sarah Pochin Accuses Officials of Chauvinism
The documentary also captured Reform’s MP for Runcorn and Helsby, Sarah Pochin, expressing frustration with party press officers. Filmed at a Christmas party while she served as Reform’s sole female MP, Pochin told an undercover reporter that the party excludes you if you’re a woman and described dealing with alpha-male behavior within the ranks.
Rival Political Figures Condemn Party Culture
Political opponents responded swiftly to the broadcast. Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson stated that these latest shocking and deeply disturbing revelations go right to the top of Reform UK, adding that Farage must explain why racist remarks persist among candidates running with his backing.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called the footage chilling, while a Conservative Party spokesperson argued that the disclosures prove Farage has failed to make the party ready for government.
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This is chilling. 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. https://t.co/yG3YkR6jGI
