An undercover investigation by ITV has forced the resignation of three Reform UK councillors following the release of highly offensive recordings. The footage captures individuals making violent threats against the monarchy and disparaging remarks regarding migrants and women.
The Solihull departures of Alan Feeney and Chris Whelan
Cllr Alan Feeney, who served as the deputy mayor of Solihull Borough Council, resigned from Reform UK after being recorded making disparaging remarks about Asian families. According to the ITV investigation, Feeney suggested that non-white residents should be forcibly deported to Pakistan and claimed that no more than 1% of the British population should be non-white.
Chris Whelan, another Reform UK councillor in the Solihull area, also resigned following the investigation. the report states that Whelan was caught making a sexualized comment regarding a female candidate, which led to his departure on what he described as personal and health grounds.
Dean Miller’s violent threats against the monarchy and migrants
Bromley Council councillor Dean Miller resigned after undercover reporters captured him making extreme comments about King Charles and migrants.. The recordings include Miller suggesting violence against the King and describing migrants crossing the Channel as people who "come to rape and pillage and f****** kill us."
Miller defended his conduct by telling ITV that he is disabled and was heavily medicated at the time of the recordings. Despite this explanation, the footage captured him describing black children as "animals" and alleging that London has been "ethnically cleansed."
Raymond Dunning remains in Reform UK despite violent rhetoric
Tameside councillor Raymond Dunning has not resigned from Reform UK, even after being recorded making violent suggestions about his political opponents.. The report states that Dunning suggested Labour councillors "should be shot against the wall" and described his own views as being "so far-Right, it's unbelievable."
The party's decision to retain Dunning while others have exited highlights a potential inconsistency in how Reform UK handles internal disciplinary matters. While the party has acknowledged the need for due process, the contrast between the resignations and Dunning's continued membership remains a point of scrutiny.
The allegation of a "Tory plant" in the ITV sting
Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice has questioned the legitimacy of the investigation by claiming one of the individuals caught was a "Tory plant." Tice suggested that this individual was deliberately making provocative statements to damage the party's reputation .
Several questions remain regarding the full extent of the party's knowledge of these comments before the investigation went public. It is also unclear whether the party will take formal disciplinary action against Raymond Dunning, who remains a member despite his recorded comments.
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