Recent revelations about Reform UK candidates have cast doubt on the party’s strengthened vetting procedures. One contender advocated for a ‘white Britain’ and suggested shooting Keir Starmer, joining others whose past remarks have surfaced before the May 7 elections. These include complaints about excessive deference to Black communities and support for far-right figure Tommy Robinson. Labour plans to air a broadcast on Friday highlighting these ‘toxic’ opinions, with a warning for offensive content. Despite assurances from leader Nigel Farage and top officials that their screening is rigorous, the party faces scrutiny this week after anti-racism organization Hope Not Hate uncovered problematic statements from several candidates. Among them is Linda McFarlane, running in Gateshead’s Chopwell and Rowlands Gill ward. A social media profile linked to her directed ‘you should all be shot’ at accounts for Starmer and Justice Secretary David Lammy. During candidate screening, the account posted: ‘These Black individuals who think their skin color hinders them. Perhaps it’s due to their own shortcomings!!!! These Black people must accept their skin color. You don’t see Chinese or other ethnic groups playing the race card. Pathetic.’ On immigration, it stated ‘Let them all drown’ and pushed for a ‘white Britain’ with only white parliament members. McFarlane was contacted for response. The party also faced questions about James Grainger, a Devon county councillor seeking re-election, accused of posting anti-Muslim and pro-Putin comments via a YouTube account. When Zia Yusuf resigned as Reform chair last year before returning, the account expressed relief, noting: ‘So happy to see Zia gone. He was a Muslim and definitely against the values and direction of Reform.’ The account’s details aligned with Grainger’s age, background, and job, as listed in his interests register. Grainger was contacted for comment. A YouTube profile under Jason Patchett, candidate in Hoveton and North Norfolk branch chair, commented in 2022: ‘Constant deference to the Black community isn’t helping us. That group is mainly causing problems, but we’re too scared to act.’ The comment came from a now-deleted account archived by Hope Not Hate. Patchett was contacted for response. Joe Mulhall, research director at Hope Not Hate, stated: ‘Reform UK’s ‘common sense’ vetting, called the best in the nation by Zia Yusuf, has repeatedly shown to be insufficient. After the last general election, Nigel Farage promised to remove ‘bad apples’ from the party. Yet with so many such candidates still running, it points to a systemic vetting failure.’ Reform was approached regarding Grainger, McFarlane, and others accused of offensive remarks. Labour’s broadcast will feature Farage calling misogynist influencer Andrew Tate ‘a very important voice’ and Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s frustration with ads featuring Black people. It also includes Aseem Malhotra, a physician who spoke at Reform’s conference, claiming Covid vaccines caused royal family cancers. Communities Secretary Steve Reed urged Farage to expel 45 candidates with recorded offensive comments. Reed remarked: ‘It’s astonishing that Nigel Farage deems these candidates spreading vile racism, misogyny, and conspiracy theories as appropriate.’ Among Labour’s examples is Alan Stay, Isle of Wight candidate, who shared racist and sexist online messages, including repeated use of a racist slur while claiming it wasn’t harmful. Another, Caroline Panetta in Bexley, outer London, shared anti-Islam posts, including one alleging London Mayor Sadiq Khan aims to make the city ‘Londonstan’ unsafe for women.
