Reform faces criticism after councillors filmed making racist comments

In the film, Undercover: A Year in Reform,, external a Reform councillor and deputy mayor of Solihull is recorded calling Asian homeowners "parasites".

A Reform spokesman said: "Where members, activists and councillors have clearly behaved inappropriately, investigations have commenced" and that in some cases there had been suspensions.

ITV's filming involved eight figures in Reform – the BBC does not know how many it spoke to in total.

ITV News says it had reporters undercover with Reform UK candidates and councillors across England and Wales running up to the elections in May and four by-election campaigns this year and last.

He told undercover reporters the area has been "infested" with Asian families, and called them "absolute parasites".

The BBC has tried to contact Feeney for a response. ITV has reported that on Monday evening he had "mutually agreed" to resign from Reform UK, citing "personal reasons," and would be continuing as an independent councillor.

Two years ago he said he didn't want Reform to be "a sectarian or racially based party in any way at all".

In a statement released after ITV's film was broadcast, Reform said the party "had improved and prioritised its vetting procedures, but from time to time, a handful of individuals who do not share our values will initially make it through vetting".

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: "This is chilling. I feel for anyone watching this tonight who is frightened to see such racism and hatred festering in their community."

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