ITV probe captures Farage accused of protecting Reform candidate over racist slurs against David Lammy

Dispute over candidate’s future

ITV footage shows Reform leader Nigel Farage discussing the complaints about Chris Parry, a retired rear admiral selected to run for mayor in Hampshire and the Solent. A senior party official had accused Farage of protecting Parry, who was criticised over remarks about Labour MP David Lammy.

When the controversy surfaced in December, Reform communications chief Ed Sumner was filmed saying Parry should be removed. Three weeks later, Parry remained the candidate, and Farage said he could stay if he apologised. Sumner responded that Farage was protecting him.

Parry suspended in March

Parry referred the Guardian to a statement he had provided to ITV. He urged people to review the original context of his posts, saying they concerned reparations and what he viewed as failures by police and government. He said he criticised people in public life when he believed they acted against British interests.

Pochin describes party culture

The ITV undercover reporter also spoke with Sarah Pochin, Reform’s MP for Runcorn and Helsby, when she was the party’s only female MP. Pochin said she found it difficult to be a woman in what she described as an exclusionary, male-dominated environment.

The documentary, titled Undercover: A Year in Reform, is due to air on Sunday. Its findings add to a series of recent controversies involving the party.

Reform challenges ITV methods

Reform said ITV had used an undercover journalist with altered identification documents, a false address and false credentials to gain access to its headquarters and computer systems. The party said the investigation involved spying on its employees.

Reform also said the reporting took place amid security concerns involving people it said wished Farage and other party members harm. It said ITV had not addressed these issues in correspondence.