Reform's Jenrick defends party over undercover racism investigation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 11:08 · Archive

Robert Jenrick defended Reform after ITV undercover footage showed party members making racist and sexist comments.

Robert Jenrick, Reform's Treasury spokesman, defended the party on Radio 4's Today programme after ITV released undercover footage filmed during a year-long investigation into Reform. The footage showed Reform councillors and candidates making racist and sexist comments. One councillor described Asian families as 'parasites' and suggested the government should forcibly remove them to Pakistan. Another councillor claimed the King should be beheaded, describing him as secretly Muslim, and used racist language about Black children. A third individual said he was 'so far-right it's unbelievable'.

Jenrick said Reform had 'suspended or removed' those filmed making the comments. He argued that 'in all political parties there are bad individuals' and that the test of leadership is how a party deals with such cases. He also pointed to Reform having 2,000 councillors and 280,000 members, suggesting the conduct of a few did not reflect the whole. During the interview, Jenrick attacked the BBC and other parties, which prompted the presenter to accuse him of deflecting from the scandal. Jenrick denied the accusation, saying Reform has 'very strong vetting' procedures and will 'never have any place for racism'.

How it is being reported

• Robert Jenrick Accused Of Trying To 'Deflect' From Reform Racism Row After Attack On BBCRobert Jenrick is Reform’s Treasury spokesman. Robert Jenrick was accused of trying to “deflect” from the latest Reform UK race row after he attacked the BBC and other parties during a heated radio interview. The party’s Treasury spokesman clashed with a presenter on Radio 4’s Today programme as he was quizzed on the findings of an ITV investigation. Undercover reporters filmed Reform councillors and candidates making racist and sexist comments while campaigning for the party. One councillor described Asian families as “parasites” and said the government should “stick them on planes and fuck…HuffPost UK · 16 Oct, 10:52
• Robert Jenrick tied in knots after being accused of 'deflecting' Reform row questionsWARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT. Robert Jenrick was tied in knots in a radio interview after being accused of 'deflecting' questions about Reform politicians being filmed making concerning remarksThe Mirror · 16 Oct, 10:41

In this story: Robert Jenrick · Reform · ITV · Alan Feeney · Sarah Pochin · Dean Miller · Raymond Dunning

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