Reform UK, under Nigel Farage’s leadership, has come under heavy scrutiny for fielding candidates and members with histories of racism, misogyny, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bigotry. Multiple media investigations (notably by The Guardian, Financial Times, and The Scottish Sun) have uncovered a widespread pattern of offensive behaviour leading to suspensions, deselections, and resignations.
Farage himself is today under pressure following his declaration that Reform UK would abandon online safety and return to the non-protection of children from grooming, paedophiles and prostitution. And who can forget Claire Fox?
Let’s take a closer look at some of those who see Reform UK as their natural home.
Here is a starter, and if you can stomach any more, keep reading:
Key Expulsions and Removals
| Name/Role | Action Taken | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Parker (Canvasser) | Dismissed | Advocated “shooting migrants”, used racist slur for Rishi Sunak (C4 exposé) |
| Robert Smith (Orkney & Shetland) | Removed as candidate | Called Christine Lagarde “head bitch”, compared LGBT NHS symbols to swastikas |
| Leslie Lilley, Edward Oakenfull, etc. | Deselected | Made racist and homophobic posts |
| Paul Carnell (Cannock Chase) | Suspended | Attended far-right protest with Patriotic Alternative |
| Ian Broadbent, Richard Hainsworth | Suspended | Shared misogynistic and racist content online |
| Peter Storms, Andrew Medley | Dropped | “Offensive comments” on social media |
| Craig Campbell (Scottish organiser) | Dismissed | Family ties to UVF bomber; shared Nazi comparison imagery about the SNP |
| Jack Aaron (Vetting officer) | Retained (controversially) | Previously praised Hitler, Assad, and posted anti-Muslim content |
Numbers & Scale
According to The Guardian, more than 100 candidates were dropped by Reform UK ahead of the 2024 general election with over a dozen due to bigoted or offensive remarks. Others were removed quietly or replaced following public outcry or investigative journalism.
The Financial Times reported that the party’s efforts to vet candidates were described as “inadequate,” with a “patchy” process that allowed several individuals with extremist views to slip through. Despite media scrutiny, some candidates were removed only after pressure, rather than proactively.
Notable Defections Over Bigotry
| Name | Reason for Leaving |
|---|---|
| Georgie David | Quit, labelling party “racist, misogynistic and bigoted” |
| Liam Booth-Isherwood | Resigned candidacy, citing a toxic culture and lack of diversity |
Summary from Articles
- The Guardian revealed that vetting failures allowed individuals with histories of Holocaust denial, Hitler praise, and racist slurs to stand for election until exposed.
- The Financial Times detailed instances where candidates called to “nuke Islam”, posted Nazi memes, or referred to Muslim people as “vermin”.
- The Scottish Sun broke the story on Craig Campbell, Reform’s Scottish organiser, who was removed after revelations about links to a notorious UVF bomber and his sharing of violent sectarian images.
- Another Guardian report exposed Jack Aaron, a Reform candidate and vetting head, who had made antisemitic and Islamophobic posts but still oversaw candidate selection.
Implications
These repeated scandals raise significant concerns about systemic failures in candidate vetting, tolerance of extremism, and the party’s public messaging versus internal culture. While Farage and leadership have publicly condemned overt racism, internal reports and resignations indicate broader problems with recruitment standards and accountability.
