Reform Vetting Concerns

DAVID Burton-Sampson MP, has written an open letter to Nigel Farage MP, leader of Reform UK, and Coun Tony Cox, Reform UK’s leader on Southend City Council, seeking reassurance after the revelations from ITV’s documentary Undercover: A Year In Reform.

The documentary featured a litany of what the MP for Southend West and Leigh described as: “unacceptable and distressing language being used by Reform figures, elected representatives, and affiliates.”

Examples of this language included a South London councillor calling for the King to be killed due to being “a Muslim”, whilst a senior councillor in Solihull advocated removing people from their homes and putting them on planes if they appeared to be Asian.

This was coupled with a plethora of examples of Reform officials using violent, racist, and sexist language.

“The nature of the comments reported are profoundly troubling,” Burton-Sampson wrote to Mr Farage and Mr Cox, “Racism and misogyny have no place in public life, and any comments that sexualise or otherwise raise serious concerns about the treatment of children demand the utmost seriousness.

“Such behaviour, if substantiated, is wholly incompatible with the standards of conduct that the public should expect from those seeking or who hold elected office or positions of public responsibility.”

Mr Burton-Sampson’s letter came less than a day after the documentary aired in full, requesting reassurance on five points.

Seeking clarification on candidate vetting, behavioural standards, that all standards have been applied to Southend and Leigh’s Reform candidates and councillors, accountability procedures, and ongoing oversight. Mr Burton-Sampson insisted that these: “are fundamental requirements of responsible political leadership.”

“This behaviour in Reform is simply out of order,” Burton-Sampson said, reflecting on the documentary’s findings. “As a mixed race man, to hear this absolute rubbish coming out of elected politicians’ mouths is absolutely appalling.

“I’ve written to Mr Farage and Reform here in Southend to make sure that none of this disgusting behaviour is happening in our city.”

Mr Burton-Sampson has pledged to continue to champion Southend and Leigh as examples of a tolerant community, and has expressed hope that the anticipated response from Mr Farage and Mr Cox will reassure residents that the behaviour outlined in the ITV documentary is not present in Reform UK locally.

Picture: The letter Mr Burton-Sampson has sent to Mr Farage and Mr Cox.

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