A Channel 4 investigation has uncovered shocking racist and homophobic remarks by Reform UK campaigners, drawing sharp condemnation from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and raising serious questions about the party’s culture. Here’s the full story.
Racist and Homophobic Comments
Reform UK, the business posing as a political party led by Nigel Farage, has come under intense scrutiny following revelations of profoundly disturbing racist and homophobic comments made by its canvassers.
Racial Slur Exposed
A Channel 4 undercover investigation exposed a campaigner, Andrew Parker, using a racial slur against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, prompting widespread condemnation.
Canvassers’ Offensive Remarks
In the course of Channel 4’s undercover investigation into Reform UK’s canvassing teams in Clacton, where Farage is standing to be an MP for the eighth time after failing the previous seven times he has tried to get elected, canvassers were recorded making racist, Islamophobic and homophobic remarks.
“F-Ing [P-Word]”
In the geographically challenged nature of many racists, one of the canvassers, Parker, used a racial slur for people of Pakistani origin to describe Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is of Indian origin. Parker was recorded saying, “I’ve always been a Tory voter, but what annoys me is that f***ng [P-word] we’ve got in.”
Islamophobic Remarks
Shockingly, Parker’s comments were not limited to racism; he also made deeply Islamophobic remarks, describing Islam as “a cult” and suggesting that army recruits use asylum seekers arriving in small boats for “target practice.”
“Degenerate Flag”
A different Reform UK activist, George Jones, made homophobic comments after seeing a police car with a Pride Flag design on it, stating, “You see that f*****g degenerate flag on the front bonnet? What are the old bill doing promoting that c**p? They should be out catching n****s not promoting the f*****s.”
Sunak Condemns Comments
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak swiftly and forcefully condemned Parker’s comments, deliberately repeating the racial slur to highlight the severity of the offence and call out Parker’s language unequivocally.
Sunak’s Strong Statement
Sunak stated, “My two daughters have to see and hear Reform people who campaign for Nigel Farage calling me an effing [P-word]. It hurts and it makes me angry, and I think he has some questions to answer.”
Importance of Calling Out
He added, “I don’t repeat those words lightly. I do so deliberately, because this is too important not to call out clearly for what it is.”
Police Investigate Comments
Following the broadcast of the footage, Essex police announced the force was looking into the comments.
Police Assessment
A spokesperson for Essex Police stated, “We are aware of comments made during a Channel 4 News programme and we are urgently assessing them to establish if there are any criminal offences.”
Starmer’s Condemnation
Labour leader Keir Starmer, speaking to the BBC, similarly condemned the racist remarks, stating, “I was shocked by what I heard in the report, [it was] clearly racist. And I think this is a test of leadership.”
Leadership Test
He continued, “You have to ask the question why so many people supporting Reform seem to be exposed in this particular way. It’s for a leader to change his or her party to make sure the culture is right and the standards are understood by everybody within the party.”
Farage’s Reaction
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, initially condemned the remarks as “appalling” and stated that those responsible would no longer be part of his campaign. However, Farage, seemingly taking notes from Trump’s playbook, suggested that the Channel 4 investigation was a “total set-up,” claiming, without evidence, that Parker was an actor hired to discredit the party.
Channel 4 Denies Claims
Channel 4 has strongly refuted these claims, stating, “We strongly stand by our rigorous and duly impartial journalism, which speaks for itself.”
Channel 4’s Statement
The statement added, “We met Mr Parker for the first time at Reform UK party headquarters, where he was a Reform party canvasser. We did not pay the Reform UK canvasser or anyone else in this report. Mr Parker was not known to Channel 4 News and was filmed covertly via the undercover operation.”
Broader Party Culture
The revelations have sparked a broader conversation about the culture within Reform UK. Prime Minister Sunak criticised the party for seemingly tolerating hateful language, stating, “When you see Reform candidates and campaigners seemingly using racist and misogynistic language and opinion, seemingly without challenge, I think it tells you something about the culture in the Reform party.”
Parker’s Defence
Parker rolled out a familiar trope used by those accused of racism to defend himself, stating, “Of course I regret what I said. I’m old school. Christ, I’m not a racist. I’ve had Muslim girlfriends.”
Controversy Continues
Though this is not the first, and almost certainly not the last, time that Reform UK operatives have caused controversy with their statements, this latest incident has deeply shocked those who have seen the footage.
Sunak’s Response
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s response underscores the personal and societal impact of racist remarks, particularly for those seeking political office.
Uncertain Future
As the investigation by Essex police continues and Reform UK attempts to distance itself from Parker and such language, the broader implications for Nigel Farage, his party, and its future remain uncertain.
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The post Sunak’ Hurt and Angry’ Over Reform UK’s Racial Slurs first appeared on Edge Media.
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