Former candidate says he failed checks twice before invitation, as Reform faces questions over vetting after undercover filming
Disputed account of vetting
Alex Lomas, a former Reform candidate, says he failed the party’s vetting process twice, including over social media posts supporting Robinson. In footage shown by ITV News, he says he received a rejection email on a Friday, then an email saying he had passed on the following Tuesday.
Lomas says he was called a few days later and asked to stand for Reform UK. Reform denies that he failed vetting at all. The BBC was unable to contact Lomas, and he did not answer ITV News’ requests for comment.
Undercover reporter’s approach
ITV News says an undercover reporter was asked whether he would consider standing as a councillor after leafleting with Reform activists. The reporter told party figure Frost that he had previously posted online in support of Robinson.
Frost advised him to remove the posts. Frost later told ITV News he believed the reporter was a genuine candidate and had given him the benefit of the doubt.
Party response and past pledge
Reform said that some people who do not share its values can initially pass vetting, adding that this happens in other organisations too. The party said it had no place for racism and that it would not comment on individual investigations while they continued.
Two years ago, Nigel Farage promised more rigorous checks after Reform dropped several candidates following reports of offensive or racist remarks. Before the latest footage aired, he told BBC Look East that Reform vetted candidates to a higher standard than other parties, but said checks could not predict future comments.
Other candidate cases draw criticism
The footage also shows Farage saying Dr Chris Parry should apologise over remarks about then Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, but should not withdraw as a mayoral candidate. Parry apologised to Lammy in January and remained Reform’s candidate for Hampshire and the Solent until he was suspended in March pending an investigation into comments about a Jewish voluntary patrol service.
Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson said the revelations reflected badly on Reform’s leadership. She said Farage had repeatedly had the chance to show leadership and put the party’s affairs in order, but had failed.
Key points
- Reform disputes Alex Lomas’s claim that he failed its vetting process twice.
- ITV News says an undercover reporter was advised to delete posts supporting Robinson.
- Farage has said Reform vets candidates to a higher standard than other parties.
- Dr Chris Parry remained a mayoral candidate after apologising to David Lammy, then was suspended in March.