Reform UK: officials, incidents and party record

Reform UK, also known as the Reform Party, is a right-wing populist and far-right political party in the United Kingdom, founded by Nigel Farage and Catherine Blaiklock on 23 November 2018 as the Brex

Leader: Nigel Farage

Founded: 2018

Headquarters: Millbank Tower, 21–24 Millbank, London SW1P 4QP

Ideology: Right-wing populism, Hard Euroscepticism

Position: Right-wing to far-right

Membership: 268,000 (December 2025)

Website: https://www.reformparty.uk/

Reform UK, also known as the Reform Party, is a right-wing populist and far-right political party in the United Kingdom, founded by Nigel Farage and Catherine Blaiklock on 23 November 2018 as the Brexit Party and renamed Reform UK in January 2021. Nigel Farage has been leader since June 2024, with Richard Tice as Deputy Leader and Lee Anderson as Chairman. Positioned to the right of the Conservative Party, it advocates right-wing populism and hard Euroscepticism under the slogan "Britain is broken. Britain needs Reform." The party has eight MPs in the House of Commons, seventeen members of the Scottish Parliament, thirty-four members of the Senedd, two members of the London Assembly, two directly elected mayors and two police and crime commissioners, and around 2,330 local councillors, controlling thirty-five councils. Its membership stood at 268,000 in December 2025, and it is governed by the Reform UK Board from its headquarters at Millbank Tower in London.

Reform UK policy documents

Tracked Reform UK representatives (2157)

Recorded party incidents (showing 1-50 of 423)

Reform UK hires journalists to build party-run national newsroom and Reform TV

Category: media relations

Reform UK has revealed plans to build a "national publishing operation", advertising around 12 broadcast and digital roles including an executive editor, website editor, head of social media and head of video. The party has built a new video studio in Westminster for the launch of Reform TV on YouTube, and plans an enlarged digital newsroom to turn its website into a significant national publishing operation ahead of the next general election. The i Paper reported the initial recruitment target is 25 staff. The project is led by Aaron Lobo, previously Nigel Farage's executive producer at GB News and then Reform's director of operations. Farage is a regular presenter on GB News. The move blurs the line between a political party and a news outlet: a party seeking to govern is building its own media operation to publish "news" directly to voters, bypassing the independent scrutiny that accountable politics depends on.

Sources: https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/reform-hiring-journalists-to-build-national-newsroom/ https://inews.co.uk/opinion/reforms-gb-news-farage-tv-4771721

Joe Martin proposed banning foreign nationals from social housing and HMOs

Category: xenophobia

Joe Martin called for ending foreign nationals’ access to houses in multiple occupation and social housing as part of a Reform-tabled motion debated in the Senedd. He presented the proposal seeking to bar foreign nationals from licensed house‑shares and social housing. The Senedd rejected the proposal by 57 votes to 31 and approved an amendment restating that social housing allocations are governed by legislation and local allocation schemes based on need. Sian Gwenllian described the motion as inhumane and urged members to reject it, Welsh Greens leader Anthony Slaughter called it nonsensical, hateful and inflammatory, and Nigel Farage had earlier said Reform would require foreign‑national social tenants to leave within three months or face possible deportation; BBC reporting noted the motion would have been non‑binding even if passed.

Francesca O'Brien called to bar foreign nationals from social housing

Category: xenophobia

Francesca O'Brien called for social housing to be reserved for the people of this country, criticised the Welsh allocation framework for not considering length of residence or citizenship and described the asylum system as "deranged" while supporting a Reform motion to end access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals. Her proposals drew cross-party criticism, with Anthony Slaughter and Peter Fox attacking the motion and Sian Gwenllian arguing social housing is a universal resource and clarifying asylum seekers are not provided social housing. Welsh Government guidance also notes people subject to immigration control are generally ineligible for local-authority housing allocations while those granted refugee status may become eligible. The Senedd rejected the Reform motion and instead approved a Plaid Cymru–Labour amendment, with the motion defeated 57–31 and the amendment agreed 51–37.

Dan Jukes cleared by Reform UK internal probe over undercover donor sting

Category: financial conduct concern

Dan Jukes was recorded in an undercover sting in which he discussed arranging a possible £500,000 donation from foreign sources and suggested routing it via a UK-based intermediary; he stepped down after the footage was broadcast. Reform UK’s internal investigation, carried out by the party’s barrister and general secretary, concluded it had found no evidence that any laws were broken and said no donation was made, while also finding people speaking for the party had made statements that were wrong or careless and recommending procedural changes. The Metropolitan Police is continuing a criminal inquiry, the party threatened legal action against the investigative journalists, Jukes said he was considering legal remedies over what he called false or damaging statements, and Bridget Phillipson criticised the internal report as a whitewash.

Nigel Farage accused Question Time audience members of being 'plants'

Category: factual inaccuracy

Nigel Farage accused Question Time audience members of being 'plants' who pretended to support Reform UK to gain entry and then attack the party's panellist, and the party shared a Daily Mail quote repeating the allegation on social media. Reform used the claim to denounce the TV licence and said a Reform government would scrap it. The BBC's Question Time account and a BBC spokesperson denied the claim, saying every audience applicant is interviewed, must provide links to their social media and is subject to background checks. The BBC said there was no evidence of planted audience members and rejected the characterisation while acknowledging the limited risk someone may lie when applying.

Helen Jenner celebrated the Welsh flag on the 'world stage' and attacked 'net stupid zero'

Category: inflammatory language

Helen Jenner celebrated "y ddraig goch flying on the world stage" and called on the Welsh Government to scrap what she described as "net stupid zero", accusing the First Minister of having a "dodgy ideology". Her remarks were criticised and mocked by Rhun ap Iorwerth, who pointed to the irony of celebrating the Welsh flag while other Reform colleagues had argued Wales should end international engagement; the exchange followed Reform MS David Mills describing international relations as an "indulgence" and citing £58 million without specifying what it funded. Iain McIntosh later sought a correction to the Senedd record and accused some members of merging the Welsh flag with the Palestinian flag.

George Woodward said the council might not observe Holocaust Memorial Day and later backtracked

Category: racism

George Woodward said it was "jury's out" whether the council would observe Holocaust Memorial Day and said the authority was reviewing which cultural events it would support, after his administration cancelled Black History Month and withdrew funding for Refugee Week and Pride. He had earlier said "We don't care if you're black. We don't care if you're Asian" and described celebrations that centre on one skin tone as "racist and divisive." The comments attracted criticism from St Helens Labour MP David Baines, who said Woodward was obsessed with identity politics and accused him of attacking minorities. Woodward later posted on social media saying he had been caught off guard by a "gotcha" question, that he had checked with council officers, and that the council will mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Thomas Jordan Kerr promoted a motion presented as a burqa ban

Category: racism

Thomas Jordan Kerr promoted a motion calling for the Scottish Government to assess the potential benefits of introducing further restrictions on full-face coverings in public places and presented the proposal as a ban on the burqa on social media. He used an image showing women wearing niqabs on X and posted an Instagram caption stating Scotland needs to ban the burqa while promoting the motion. Campaigners and women's groups said the motion would effectively criminalise Muslim women's clothing and organised a protest at the Scottish Parliament, accusing Kerr of using the veneer of women's rights to stoke division and harm. The motion itself notes police already have powers to require removal of face coverings in certain circumstances and the Scottish Government says existing powers are sufficient.

Reform UK misrepresented Kemi Badenoch's childhood chess record

Category: social media conduct

Reform UK posted a video on X asserting that Kemi Badenoch had said she was Nigeria’s national chess champion at age seven and accusing her of lying. The post said the party had sent a reporter to Nigeria to find out the truth and presented a list of alleged lies by Badenoch. A community note attached to the post corrected the claim, stating Badenoch did not claim to be Nigeria’s national chess champion. Victoria Peckham published a transcript of a Times interview showing Badenoch said she won "a national competition for chess" at seven and added "there were only two girls who entered." A Tory aide criticised Reform for attempting to weaponise race, and the correction and criticism highlighted the party's spread of an inaccurate claim.

James Sawkins steps aside amid police investigation

Category: other

James Sawkins stepped back from his duties after a police investigation led to raids at properties linked to him, during which unlicensed medication and cash were seized. He has not been charged and remains a member of Reform UK. The MP Melanie Onn wrote to the party chairman, Lee Anderson, asking whether Sawkins should be suspended, and the council leader Oliver Freeston said Sawkins would step away while he grieves a recent bereavement and that his responsibilities would be temporarily shared. Humberside Police said a 43-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman were arrested and subsequently conditionally bailed in relation to the raids, and Sawkins' register of interests lists him as a director of the Grab&Go outlet at one of the locations.

Fraser McFarland refused to share association financial documents

Category: financial conduct concern

Fraser McFarland refused to share financial documents with colleagues, the Conservative Party report says, and the report identifies him as the main instigator in the management of the Bassetlaw association's finances. The report describes financial processes as chaotic, says cash handling was non-existent, and examines evidence including WhatsApp messages, meeting minutes and emails. It also examines an agreed 50/50 split of a £21,000 campaign manager fee that the association largely did not pay and which contributors and sources link to a roughly £10,000 shortfall. The report recommended McFarland be permanently barred from holding office within the Conservative Party, though no party action followed after both named individuals left the party. The Electoral Commission says it is investigating historic matters relating to the Bassetlaw accounting unit. McFarland says he suffered bullying during a deeply divided period at the association, denies personal wrongdoing and says he will cooperate with the Electoral Commission's inquiry.

Nigel Farage interviewed over failure to register a £5m gift

Category: financial conduct concern

Nigel Farage was interviewed by the parliamentary commissioner for standards about whether he breached parliamentary rules by failing to formally register a separate £5 million gift from Christopher Harborne. The 30-minute inquiry focused on whether the gift should have been declared to the parliamentary register. The probe sits amid wider scrutiny of £72 million of donations to Reform UK from two cryptocurrency billionaires and related media and police attention. Mr Farage denies any wrongdoing, saying the £5 million was used only for his personal security and that the donations are compliant; the commissioner could rule against him, potentially leading to a suspension from the House of Commons and a by-election.

James Sawkins subject to police investigation after court appearance

Category: other

James Sawkins is subject to an ongoing police investigation and has had criminal proceedings listed following a court appearance. An MP for the area wrote to Reform UK expressing concern about Sawkins's position, saying he was the subject of a police probe and that criminal proceedings had been listed, and asked the party to clarify his status.

George Woodward ends council recognition of Black History Month

Category: racism

George Woodward announced the council would no longer observe Black History Month and posted on his official account that celebrations centred on one skin tone are "racist and divisive", that taxpayer money should not support "subversive woke movements", and that the only thing that matters is whether people love the country and respect British culture. The decision drew condemnation from David Baines, who accused Woodward of being "utterly obsessed with American-style identity politics" and said the move deprives schools and library staff of opportunities to teach black history and promote community cohesion. The announcement follows earlier statements by Woodward that the council would not support Pride events and would withdraw funding for Refugee Week, prompting local concern and online criticism.

Stephen Reed says council will ignore local reporter's inquiries

Category: abuse of power

Stephen Reed said the council would refuse to respond to inquiries from Eddie Bisknell and confirmed Bisknell's requests for information would be ignored. Reed said the reporter would still be able to write about the council and attend public meetings but that the administration would not engage with his inquiries. The decision drew criticism from Natalie Fahy, Dawn Alford and Laura Davison, who said refusing to engage with a journalist amounted to a ban, set a dangerous precedent and undermined local transparency. Reed denied an outright ban but confirmed the council would ignore Bisknell's information requests; the council said the move followed a prolonged period of concerns about the reporter's coverage.

Nigel Farage linked asylum arrivals to terrorism and demanded Shabana Mahmood resign

Category: xenophobia

Nigel Farage linked asylum arrivals to terrorism in a television interview. He said "we are inviting terror and horror into our communities" and "we are importing terrorists into our country from across the English Channel", and he demanded Shabana Mahmood resign. The remarks followed the charging of two men who arrived by small boat in connection with an alleged terror plot, tying a criminal case to wider asylum flows. The statements made sweeping claims about asylum seekers as a group, risking stigmatisation of people seeking protection and prompting public attention.

Robert Jenrick filmed chasing and confronting suspected shoplifters

Category: social media conduct

Robert Jenrick filmed himself following, confronting and recording people he said had shoplifted in London and posted the clips on X. In the videos he pursues individuals carrying bottles, questions them about taking items and is shown returning a bottle of Dr Pepper to a shop. The posts were captioned with language dismissing parts of the country as "feral" and saying "If nobody else will confront them, I will." The footage drew heavy criticism on social media, with users calling Jenrick hypocritical and pointing to his past government decision approving a development that critics say helped billionaire donor Richard Desmond avoid paying £45 million in tax. Others compared the videos to Jenrick's defence of a Reform supporter filmed assaulting protesters at the party conference. Critics said the confrontations highlighted a contrast between his public stance on low-level crime and his record on actions benefiting wealthy interests.

Suella Braverman said she does not consider herself English

Category: racism

Suella Braverman said she does not consider herself English despite being born in London, describing herself as British Asian and saying Englishness is an ethnicity she could not co-opt. She spoke about tracing her family history to India, Mauritius and Kenya and repeatedly rejected the label "English" for herself. Audience members and journalist Ollie Dugmore criticised the remarks as carrying the political function of implying Englishness requires whiteness, and a member of the audience said the comments reinforced a racist argument. Presenter Fiona Bruce repeatedly pressed Braverman to clarify whether someone who is not white could call themselves English; Braverman rejected accusations of racism on social media and said her comments were about personal identity rather than a judgement on others.

Kim Schmulian told Holyrood the UK could "learn much" from Israel's approach to defence

Category: inflammatory language

During a Holyrood debate on Scotland's priorities for the UK Budget, Kim Schmulian praised Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and told MSPs the UK could "learn much" from Israel's approach to defence. The remarks came days after Gaza's Health Ministry said the Palestinian death toll had passed 74,000. The Scottish Greens called the comments "utterly vile" and demanded an apology.

Sources: https://www.thenational.scot/news/26603867.reform-msp-panned-utterly-vile-praise-benjamin-netanyahu/

Nigel Farage said there is 'a massive overdiagnosis of ADHD' and called solar farms 'a complete abomination'

Category: discriminatory remark

Nigel Farage described solar farms as "a complete abomination" and "ghastly" on good agricultural land, criticised net zero policies as having "really hurt places like Doncaster", attacked welfare policy and said "there is a massive overdiagnosis of ADHD", arguing many young people were being labelled victims and put "on a scrap heap". He also criticised proposed developments such as the Whitestone Solar Farm and warned about the impact of other local policy choices on town centres. The comments risked stigmatizing disabled and neurodivergent people, a point of concern given his claim about ADHD; Farage said he was not advocating removing "proper safety nets" for those who are "genuinely disabled". Richard Tice, who visited the Whitestone site that morning, called the proposals "absolutely catastrophic" and Mr Farage and the party reiterated opposition to poorly governed or wasteful deals regarding local projects.

Jason O'Connell accused of using smart glasses to read speech in Senedd

Category: inappropriate behaviour

Jason O'Connell was accused by other Senedd Members of using smart glasses with a teleprompter function to deliver a speech in the Chamber. Several Members said they saw text moving across his lenses and unusual eye movements consistent with reading prompts. He did not respond to requests for comment. Other Members warned the glasses could be used for covert recording and called for the Senedd to review rules and security around electronic devices. Formal concerns had previously been raised with Manon Antoniazzi after a surreptitious photograph of journalist Will Hayward in the Senedd canteen was posted on social media and reposted by Dan Thomas, Francesca O'Brien and Claire Archibald, before being deleted. A Senedd Commission spokesperson said the Llywydd would expect any Member intending to use this technology to discuss it with him and that permission is required for filming in non-public spaces.

Ben Bradley mistakenly emailed internal Reform UK dossier to external councillors

Category: inappropriate behaviour

Ben Bradley, head of local government delivery at Reform UK, accidentally sent a dossier of internal policy and guidance papers to 12 Reform Island councillors, the Isle of Wight Conservative group leader Ed Blake and six independent councillors. The materials included proposals on reintroducing prayers or the national anthem at council meetings, shifting event funding towards 'Christian/English events', scrapping spending on Net Zero and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion programmes, and guidance on handling media and social media activity. Ed Blake criticised the error as showing incompetence and said the documents undermined confidence in councillors' independence. A Reform UK spokesman said the party supports its councillors to deliver efficiency and good local services and defended its record; Ben Bradley declined to comment. The circulation of internal documents to external councillors has prompted local concern and criticism of the party's approach to local representatives.

Mark Butcher called Claremont 'the worst ward in the whole country'

Category: inflammatory language

Mark Butcher called Claremont ward "the worst ward in the whole country" while campaigning in Blackpool. He compared the area to the Bronx and said people cannot walk down the street there after nine or ten o'clock. The remarks were made in an interview with an independent YouTuber. The remarks drew criticism from Labour leaders and local residents who said they unfairly damaged the area's reputation. Labour argued that certain locations such as the train station and nightclubs overinflate crime figures and that the Bronx comparison was hyperbolic. Neither Butcher nor Reform responded to a request for comment.

Tracy Clayton brands immigrants 'third‑world animals'

Category: racism

Tracy Clayton (councillor, Kirklees) was alleged to have posted on a private Facebook account in her name language describing immigrants as "third world animals", referring to "invaders" and mentioning "Sharia Courts" and other dehumanising claims. A screenshot of the alleged post circulated on social media and a fellow Kirklees councillor said the post was made while Clayton was on annual leave. Another councillor confirmed the account appears to be Clayton's personal account. A Reform UK spokesperson initially asked "What's wrong with it" when contacted and later said Cllr Clayton was "completely correct", repeating claims about mass immigration. Independent councillor Kasia and the Kirklees Green Group raised complaints and called for Clayton's resignation. Kirklees Council said councillors on annual leave are represented by their party and that any allegations of breaches of its Code of Conduct will be considered through its formal complaints process.

Nigel Farage used as example in police Islamophobia training

Category: inflammatory language

Nigel Farage was used as an example in a Project Unity Islamophobia training session delivered to officers at the York and North Yorkshire Hate Crime Conference. Attendees were shown an interview featuring Mr Farage and asked to consider the relationship between his public commentary and a racially aggravated offence shown in footage, with the session inviting participants to draw conclusions about the harm of such commentary. The session was delivered by Abbas Najib, chief executive of Better Communities Bradford, as part of Project Unity, a programme that has received public funding including a grant to roll out the training. Mr Najib defended the training as aimed at reducing anti-Muslim hostility and said participants examine how public language lands; police sources said the talk formed part of a conference schedule rather than official force training and that the speaker was not employed by the force, and the material also referenced other political figures and commentary used in public debate.

Matt Goodwin criticised in police Islamophobia training

Category: inflammatory language

Matt Goodwin was criticised and singled out during a Project Unity Islamophobia training session delivered to North Yorkshire Police. Trainers asked officers to consider comments from senior Reform UK figures, including Nigel Farage, Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman, and directed participants to examine how Goodwin's remarks about Muslim integration might be heard. The session was delivered by Abbas Najib, chief executive of Better Communities Bradford, which has received National Lottery Community Fund grants to run Project Unity. The charity defended the training as aimed at reducing anti-Muslim hostility and said it applies the same standards to statements about all minority communities; there is no indication the session led to any disciplinary action against Goodwin.

Stephen Reed ended council engagement with a local reporter after making an incorrect claim

Category: factual inaccuracy

Location: Derbyshire

Stephen Reed announced that Derbyshire County Council's Reform UK leadership would no longer respond to requests from Local Democracy Reporter Eddie Bisknell, citing concerns about his reporting. Reed initially said the council had been given less than four hours to respond to a story, but later accepted that this was incorrect after Derbyshire Live published evidence showing it had been given almost 24 hours. He maintained that the leadership had other concerns about Bisknell's journalism. Derbyshire Live rejected the council's accusations, while the National Union of Journalists condemned the decision and called for it to be reversed.

Sources: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg59rp4lpvvo https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/reform-led-derbyshire-county-council-11177495 https://www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj-responds-reform-banning-local-democracy-reporter-derbyshire.html

Michael Rees (councillor, Gloucestershire) defects to Restore Britain

Category: other

Michael Rees (councillor, Gloucestershire) left Reform UK and joined Restore Britain, taking the Cam Valley seat at Gloucestershire County Council into the new party. He said the move followed dissatisfaction with Reform UK leadership and that Restore Britain better represented his values. Reform UK said it was disappointed and said his decision betrayed residents and volunteers who had helped elect him. Rees said he was disappointed but not surprised and noted the party had accepted defections in the past, while Liberal Democrat county leader Lisa Spivey said the move added to a pattern of instability; the council now includes one Restore Britain representative.

Sam Journet had a company struck off and another fail to file accounts

Category: financial conduct concern

Sam Journet had one of his companies dissolved via compulsory strike-off by Companies House after it failed to file a required confirmation statement, and another company he owns has not filed any accounts since it was set up more than six years ago. He recorded the struck-off firm as trading for profit on a fresh register of interests and his council registers contain inconsistent declarations of shareholdings and late updates. A county court judgment for £2,587 was entered against him and was recorded as unsatisfied, and his social media activity includes paid adverts and unproven allegations against political opponents. The discrepancies matter because failing to file required company documents is a criminal offence and councillors are legally required to keep registers of interests up to date; Companies House strike-off is an administrative consequence of overdue filings. Opponents have demanded he be suspended from office and criticised his conduct, and a local Labour councillor has called for rules on councillors monetising social media; Meta said it does not allow current elected officials or political candidates to earn money from content but would not comment on the status of individual accounts.

Nigel Farage shared Reform UK video using 'colonised by immigrants' clip

Category: xenophobia

Nigel Farage posted a Reform UK promotional video that included a clip of businessman Jim Ratcliffe saying the UK had been "colonised by immigrants". The clip was incorporated into Reform UK's online promotion. Jim Ratcliffe later said he was sorry for the language and the original clip had drawn wide criticism. Reusing the phrase in a party video extended the reach of the remark and drew further criticism for amplifying anti-immigrant language; there was no immediate public party statement about the post.

Jason O'Connell claimed vandalism was politically motivated

Category: social media conduct

Jason O'Connell said his constituency office had been attacked and suggested the vandalism was politically motivated. He posted a photograph taken from inside the office showing damage to the front door's window and said the police and Senedd had been notified. South Wales Police said they were investigating damage to multiple premises in Pontypridd. A political source provided an image of the damaged window from outside showing the premises had no signage identifying it as a politician's office, and a Reform UK source accused O'Connell of "playing the victim". O'Connell did not respond to questions about why he had not shared exterior images.

Councillor Warren Nuttall defects from Ashfield Independents to Reform UK

Category: other

Councillor Warren Nuttall, who represents Greenwood and Summit on Ashfield District Council, left the Ashfield Independents group and joined Reform UK. He told reporters the paperwork to formalise the move had been signed. The defection followed the conviction of Ashfield Independents leader Jason Zadrozny for fraud and income tax evasion, and several councillors said they were considering leaving the group. Some members have publicly called for Zadrozny to resign as a councillor; he has remained on the council pending sentencing. Lee Anderson, the Reform MP for the area, said he supported a petition calling for the resignation of Cllr Zadrozny and another Ashfield Independents councillor.

Reform UK X account posts 'This is an invasion'

Category: xenophobia

The Reform UK account on X posted the message 'This is an invasion' and said the party was the only one with a plan to stop the boats forever. The post framed Channel crossings as an invasion and formed part of the party's public messaging on border policy. The message was published on Reform UK's verified X account alongside other campaign posts on immigration and criminal justice, including calls to deport foreign criminals and keep serious offenders behind bars. The post remains visible on the account and there is no public retraction or apology on the party's X page.

Ryan Coogan arrested on suspicion of false statements in nomination papers

Category: fraud

Ryan Coogan was arrested on suspicion of making false statements in election nomination papers. He was released on bail and is due to return to police as enquiries continue. Cambridgeshire Constabulary said it had launched an investigation into alleged false statements relating to the most recent district council election and that enquiries are ongoing. The Electoral Commission lists penalties for a false statement on a nomination paper as an unlimited fine or up to one year in prison; Coogan said he has worked and will continue to work with the police, and Huntingdonshire District Council said it was aware of a police referral and would not comment while the matter is a live investigation.

Nigel Farage claims new anti-disinformation unit will clamp down on free speech

Category: social media conduct

Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, posted on social media that the government’s National Centre for Information Defence would be used to clamp down on free speech, comparing it to George Orwell’s Ministry of Information and saying it was being set up using the excuse that Russia wants to interfere with elections. He made the comments in a public video message and an accompanying social post. The government has said the unit will not be used to police domestic political dissent and the Commons foreign affairs committee gave cross-party backing to the initiative. Farage provided no evidence for his claim.

Nathaniel Menday suspended by Reform UK over social media posts

Category: hate speech

Nathaniel Menday, Woodhouse councillor on Sheffield City Council, was suspended by the Reform UK party after social media posts in which he referred to a "subhuman underclass" came to light. He has continued to represent Woodhouse as an independent councillor and has said his priorities include protecting local greenbelt and supporting a community theatre project. Menday was elected as a Reform UK candidate but lost the party whip within a week of the local elections. He has said that losing party membership did not remove him from office, has invited residents to contact him about local issues, and has served as an independent councillor since the suspension.

Joe Martin reprimanded for calling Welsh Gender Service doctors "butchers" who should be jailed

Category: discriminatory remark

In a Senedd debate on 23 September 2026, Joe Martin called for the Welsh Gender Service to be shut down, describing those responsible for surgery on children as "butchers" and "liars" who should be jailed. He did not specify which cases he meant; the service treats adults aged 18 and over. On 29 September the Presiding Officer ruled the remarks "disorderly and offensive", in breach of standing orders, and asked him not to use such language again. Reform Wales said the remarks should be protected as free speech but accepted the ruling.

Sources: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq36ld40x0e1o https://nation.cymru/news/reform-ms-reprimanded-over-offensive-gender-service-comments/

Suspended by Reform UK over undisclosed misconduct allegations

Category: party management issue

Location: Clacton, Essex

Reform UK confirmed on 23 September 2026 that Cllr Bradley Thompson had been suspended from the party "following several serious and well-documented allegations of misconduct". He represents Clacton West and St Osyth on Essex County Council and West Clacton & Jaywick Sands on Tendring District Council, and is reported to no longer represent Reform UK on either council. The nature of the allegations has not been disclosed and Cllr Thompson had been approached for comment at the time of reporting. A suspension is not a finding of wrongdoing. He was the second Essex Reform UK councillor suspended within six days, following Cllr Christopher Perera.

Sources: https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/second-essex-reform-uk-councillor-11167839 https://opencouncil.network/people/bradley-thompson

Michelle Fascione apologises for closure of South Tyneside nurseries

Category: public expense question

Michelle Fascione, cabinet member for children and families, education and skills, apologised to families and staff for her part in a Reform UK cabinet decision to stop the council running ten daycare nurseries known as the Stanley's centres in South Tyneside. She told residents she had tried various options to make the service viable, including seeking private investment, but that the cabinet voted to end council operation of the Stanley's service. Fascione said the decision reflected assessments of the service’s financial sustainability and insisted it was not a reflection on staff, praising their work and saying the council would support affected children, families and staff through a transition. The council said the closure proposals followed a service review and staff consultation; the council’s education and skills scrutiny committee had recommended delaying the decision but the Reform UK cabinet pressed ahead amid public protest and criticism.

Nigel Farage did not record Dubai GB News appearance on register of interests

Category: undisclosed interest

Nigel Farage attended a GB News event in Dubai and did not record the appearance on his official register of interests, FairSquare said. The event included senior Emirati officials and Farage promoted UAE-style development as a model for parts of the UK. The omission is reported alongside broader scrutiny of Reform UK’s links with the UAE, with other senior party figures named as having personal or business ties to the country. There is no evidence presented of direct UAE funding to the party, but the connections have prompted calls for greater transparency and further official scrutiny of foreign influence risks.

Nigel Farage announces new Wales leader and defends suspended Senedd member

Category: other

Nigel Farage held a press conference in Cardiff Bay to announce Helen Jenner as Reform UK's new leader in the Senedd and to address recent departures and the resignation of the previous leader. He stated that Dan Thomas would remain a member of the Reform group despite being suspended, and he criticised Sarah Cooper-Lesadd's decision to defect to Plaid Cymru, questioning whether her politics had been evident during vetting. Dan Thomas had been arrested on suspicion of assault and coercive control; police said the investigation is ongoing and Thomas remains a Reform UK Senedd member. Helen Jenner won a secret ballot among group members, defeating Jason O'Connell, and Farage said he would not change the party's vetting procedures while announcing a deputy leadership contest and a forthcoming reshuffle.

Derek Roberts shares racist posts and joins misogynistic online abuse

Category: racism

Derek Roberts, a special adviser to Reform UK Senedd Member Gareth Thomas, shared a video of Sarah Cooper-Lesadd on Facebook mocking her appearance, compared her to Theresa May and said she was not made for the screen. He attempted to share the post in several community groups, has repeatedly criticised Cooper-Lesadd since she left Reform UK for Plaid Cymru, and urged people to sign a petition calling for list-elected MSs to vacate their seats if they change parties. Roberts has a documented history of offensive social media posts on Facebook and TikTok, including denigrating Muslims and sharing content that referenced violence at a march. He was placed second on Reform’s list in the Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg Senedd election but stepped down as a candidate after fellow candidates raised concerns over his views; Gareth Thomas did not respond to requests for comment and Roberts’ appointment as a senior adviser has drawn criticism.

Suspended by Reform UK "pending investigation" and now sits as an independent

Category: party management issue

Location: Lichfield, Staffordshire

Reform UK confirmed on 22 September 2026 that Cllr Dean Robertson, the Stowe ward member of Lichfield City Council, had been suspended from the party "pending investigation". The council's website no longer lists him as a Reform UK representative. The party did not set out the reasons for the suspension and Cllr Robertson did not respond to requests for comment. A suspension pending investigation is not a finding of wrongdoing. Cllr Robertson had been the first Reform UK candidate elected to Lichfield City Council, winning the Stowe by-election in February 2025.

Sources: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/reform-uk-member-of-lichfield-city-council-now-sitting-as-independent-member/

Robert Jenrick defends Sunderland council's decision to cut funding for anti-racism charity

Category: racism

Robert Jenrick (mp, East Midlands) defended Sunderland City Council after it ended a 30-year partnership and withdrew funding from the football anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card. He said it was reasonable for a local authority to make choices about which charities and organisations it supports and for taxpayers' money to be allocated accordingly. The council's leader, Christopher Eynon, said the authority would not support politically charged organisations with an agenda, and the council cited comments by the charity's chief executive Ged Grebby as evidence of political bias. The decision prompted criticism from the Minister for Women and Equalities Bridget Philipson, local Labour MPs and former Sunderland player Gary Bennett, and the charity said the move suggested the council was unsupportive of equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives; the council and Reform UK Wearside said the action was not intended to weaken opposition to racism.

Suspended by Reform UK "pending investigation" and now sits as an independent

Category: party management issue

Location: Lichfield, Staffordshire

Reform UK confirmed on 22 September 2026 that Cllr Matthew Wallens, who was elected for the party in the Lichfield City North division of Staffordshire County Council, had been suspended from the party "pending investigation". He is now listed as an independent member, and Lichfield District Council confirmed he also sits as an independent for the Curborough ward. Reform UK did not set out the reasons for the suspension and Cllr Wallens had not commented at the time of reporting. A suspension pending investigation is not a finding of wrongdoing. He was the second Reform UK councillor in Lichfield to be suspended in the same week, following Cllr Dean Robertson of Lichfield City Council.

Sources: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/second-lichfield-councillor-becomes-independent-member-after-being-suspended-by-reform-uk/

Malcolm Offord leads Reform MSPs in walkout from Holyrood debate

Category: inappropriate behaviour

Malcolm Offord (msp, Inverclyde) led his Reform UK MSPs out of the Holyrood chamber during a debate on Scottish independence after the Presiding Officer refused to cancel the debate. Offord argued the constitution was a reserved matter, withdrew his amendment and led his colleagues in leaving the chamber in protest. Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson criticised the action as a gross discourtesy to members. Offord said the debate was inappropriate and that Reform would not engage further; the motion affirming Scotland's right to decide its future was passed by 84 votes to 18.

Jason O'Connell accused fellow MS of fraud and questioned party‑switching legality in Senedd

Category: inflammatory language

Jason O'Connell (ms, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr) used a Senedd appearance to question the legality of elected members switching parties and to suggest that a member who leaves the party they were elected for could be guilty of fraud by misrepresentation. His remarks interrupted proceedings and prompted shouting and heated exchanges across the Siambr as he pressed the counsel general on whether voters have legal protection when an elected representative departs from the party and manifesto on which they stood. The counsel general, Elfyn Llwyd, declined to rule on the political question and said he would not get involved in the politics of the matter, noting that members have switched parties during the currency of elections. The member named in Mr O'Connell's question, Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg MS Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, had recently defected from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru and also raised separate concerns about AI‑generated content and online abuse; there was no immediate sanction or formal complaint reported arising from the exchange.

Steven Rutherford receives death threats after supporting refugee settlement scheme

Category: intimidation bullying

Steven Rutherford, Reform UK opposition lead at Newcastle City Council, said he received death threats and racist abuse after supporting the council's refugee settlement scheme. He reported the abuse followed his public support for the city's plan to settle refugees, and said the threats included racist language and calls for violence. Rutherford condemned the abuse and said the racism recalled attitudes he had hoped were left behind since the 1980s. He criticised what he described as a lack of moderation by social media companies, and remains the Reform UK opposition lead on Newcastle City Council.

Reform UK councillor resigns Dudley seat four months after election, triggering a by-election

Category: party management issue

Ivor Robinson resigned his St James's seat on Dudley Council in September 2026, four months after being elected for Reform UK with 48 per cent of the vote. Reform UK said he stood down for personal reasons. The resignation forces a by-election at public expense in a ward also represented by two Labour councillors. Dudley Reform deputy leader Cllr Shaun Keasey said there was "no animosity" and that the party would contest the seat. The resignation followed the defection of another Dudley Reform councillor, Andrew Southall, to Restore Britain days earlier, which opponents said raised questions about the stability of the group. No allegation of wrongdoing has been reported against Mr Robinson.

Nigel Farage says he will 'hijack' Tom Homan to secure UK borders

Category: inflammatory language

Nigel Farage said at a US event that he wanted to "hijack" Tom Homan and bring him to Britain to help secure the country's borders. He made the remark while Homan, a senior US immigration official, was a guest at the event and praised Homan's approach to immigration enforcement. Tom Homan is described as Trump's border czar and a former acting director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. There is no indication Homan has agreed to take a role in Britain, and the party did not respond to requests for comment on whether it would seek to adopt elements of Homan's approach; the comment aligns with Reform UK's public support for tougher immigration enforcement.