Nigel Farage ‘has questions to answer’ over Reform racism, says Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak expressed feeling upset and frustrated after hearing a Reform UK supporter use a racial insult against him. He mentioned that Nigel Farage should address this issue.

The leader of the country replied to a report from Channel 4 that uncovered a Reform activist had used a derogatory term against him. Sunak echoed the insult and explained that he felt it necessary to address it for what it truly was.

His reply was received as Essex police announced that they were quickly examining the racist and homophobic remarks made by Reform campaigners in televised footage.

"We have seen the remarks made on a Channel 4 News show and we are quickly investigating them to determine if any laws have been broken," a representative stated.

During a recent visit to a school in Teesside, the prime minister expressed his concerns to reporters. He mentioned that his daughters have witnessed Reform campaigners using offensive language towards him, which has upset him and made him angry. He believes Nigel Farage should address this issue.

I don't say those words casually. I say them purposefully because this is too vital not to clearly address what is happening.

In response to a question about his feelings regarding former Conservative voters shifting towards Reform UK due to reported racist and homophobic remarks made by activists, Sunak expressed concern. He noted that the use of such language by Reform candidates and campaigners, seemingly without any pushback, reflects on the party's overall culture.

Sunak addressed Farage's remarks about the controversial figure Andrew Tate, stating that his views on women are not representative of all men. This was initially brought to light by the Guardian.

"Andrew Tate doesn't have a valuable perspective for men. He's a hateful sexist. Our government and nation deserve better than that," he stated. "In my role as prime minister and as a father to two young daughters, I feel it is necessary to denounce this harmful and harmful behavior."

Keir Starmer expressed his surprise at the racist and homophobic remarks made by the Reform UK canvassers, stating that this situation will challenge Farage's leadership skills.

A reporter recorded Andrew Parker and George Jones sharing their opinions while campaigning for Farage in Clacton, where he is currently running for MP. Parker was captured on video using offensive language to describe the prime minister, while Jones criticized the Pride flag as being disrespectful.

The report on Channel 4 featured Parker speaking to the journalist, who was pretending to be an activist. Parker said, "I have always voted for the Conservative party, but what really bothers me is that awful [P-word] we currently have in power. What is he good for? Can you explain? He seems weak and completely useless."

He also recommended to the reporter to focus on the word "illegal" when talking about migration with minority ethnic voters. Parker continued by describing Islam as "a cult", stating: "We are removing all the Muslims from the mosques and converting them into Wetherspoon's."

During a casual chat with a voter, Parker proposes a violent solution to the issue of asylum seekers arriving in small boats. He suggests deploying army recruits with guns on the beach in Deal, near Dover, for target practice and to shoot the asylum seekers.

Farage stated that the situation on Friday was planned, saying that Parker was pretending to be a campaigner in order to say terrible things. Farage believed that Parker was actually an actor working against the Reform party. During an interview on ITV's Loose Women, Farage mentioned that there were issues within the Reform party because he had effectively ended the British National Party. As a result, some of the more extreme supporters from the BNP had attempted to become members of the Reform party.

He mentioned that other activists, who were caught on camera by Channel 4 making homophobic remarks and other inappropriate comments, had been removed from the party. He justified their behavior by saying they were under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Channel 4 supported its reporting and stated that they were not familiar with Parker before.

Afterwards, Farage faced tough questions from an audience on BBC Question Time. One person accused him of being racist, while another wanted to know why his party drew in extremists.

Parker apologized to PA Media on Friday for his remarks and expressed regret for his words. He clarified that he is not racist and mentioned that he has had Muslim girlfriends in the past. He described his comments as casual conversation similar to what one might hear among friends at a pub.

He maintained that he was a supporter of the Reform party, even though Farage questioned his allegiance due to his job as an actor. He clarified that his acting job did not coincide with his volunteer work for the party.

In a different video, taken at a bar in Clacton, Jones noticed a police car driving by with a Pride flag on its hood and said: "Do you see that offensive flag on the front of the car? Why are the police promoting that stuff? They should be out catching criminals, not supporting them."

Jones later commented that the individuals serving as our police officers will have a paramilitary approach instead of the typical police response, and suggested that the noose should be reinstated.

This is not the first instance during the campaign where supporters or candidates from the Reform party have faced criticism for their opinions on race. Additionally, on Thursday, Reform decided to no longer support Raymond Saint, their candidate in Basingstoke, after being notified by the Guardian that he was listed as a member of the BNP.

In the beginning of this month, Grant StClair-Armstrong, who was running for Reform in North West Essex, stepped down from his position after it was revealed that he had previously urged others to support the BNP.