Reform UK has reported ITV to the police following an undercover investigation that exposed racist remarks made by members of the party, with the party also threatening legal action against the broadcaster, its journalists and its board of directors.
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, announced the move in a video posted on social media platform X, accusing ITV journalists of breaking the law while producing the documentary.
The investigation featured councillors and candidates associated with Reform UK making racist comments. In one excerpt, black children were described as “animals”, while another party member claimed his area had become “infested” with Asian families.
Mr Yusuf said the party had reported several ITV journalists and the broadcaster’s board to the police, alleging that fraud and electoral laws had been breached during the investigation.
“Journalists are supposed to report the news. These ones set out to create it,” he said, adding that Reform UK would pursue legal action against those involved.
He also alleged that an undercover ITV reporter who secured employment as a Reform UK press officer had “doctored” her passport to obtain the position.
Two other undercover reporters, who joined party members campaigning in Portsmouth, had also been reported to the police, Mr Yusuf claimed. He argued that paying individuals to canvass for a candidate was illegal and said ITV’s board had been reported because the broadcaster had paid the reporters.
Reform UK intends to bring civil proceedings against those involved, with Mr Yusuf vowing to pursue the matter through the courts.
“We will pursue this through the courts relentlessly,” he said. “I want to be frank about why we feel so strongly: many Reform staff members and volunteers were psychologically manipulated and damaged by ITV’s undercover reporters.”
Mr Yusuf later accused ITV of engaging in “a form of psychological warfare”, claiming the investigation had been designed to undermine the confidence of party members, activists and volunteers.
He said it was intended “to demoralise, to inject paranoia into our volunteers, our activists, and our employees, and to make ordinary people afraid to take part in politics”.
It was not immediately clear which police force or forces had received Reform UK’s complaints. The party and ITV were contacted for comment.
Meanwhile, the investigation was raised at Prime Minister’s Questions, where Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said Reform UK had yet to take sufficient action to address racism within its ranks.
Labour MP Zubir Ahmed, a former health minister, asked Mr Burnham about the revelations contained in the ITV documentary.
Mr Burnham said all political parties represented in Parliament had a responsibility to tackle racism and discrimination, calling for firm action following the allegations.
“I think it is incumbent on all parties represented in this House to root out the politics of poison, which has seeped far too far into our politics, where unacceptable racist and discriminatory comments are made,” he said.
“The firmest of action should be taken on the back of those revelations.”
Mr Burnham added that tackling racism should unite politicians across the political spectrum, but said Reform UK had yet to demonstrate the level of action he believed was necessary.
“That should unite us all in this House, and we are still waiting to see the right level of action from the party opposite,” he said.