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The right-wing populist party presents itself as an alternative to the Conservatives and Labour. It advocates sharp immigration cuts and tougher measures against small-boat crossings.
Nigel Farage, Leader of Britain's Reform UK party speaks at a recent press conference in London. (Photo: AP)
New Delhi,Oct 18, 2026 18:26 IST
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has suspended an activist who said Muslims cannot be British and called for migrants arriving in small boats to be held in “concentration camps”.
Jason Powell, who has applied to become a Reform parliamentary candidate, made the remarks to an undercover ITV reporter at an event thanking Farage’s campaign volunteers in Clacton.
“You cannot be a Muslim and British it’s like oil and water,” he said.
Powell also proposed detaining migrants indefinitely if they refused to disclose their country of origin. He claimed his views were not extremist and reflected those of British people generally.
“In the first week of election, build concentration camps, and everyone who comes across on the Channel, you’re in there,” he told the undercover reporter.
Reform suspended him pending an internal investigation, the BBC reported.
The right-wing populist party presents itself as an alternative to the Conservatives and Labour. It advocates sharp immigration cuts and tougher measures against small-boat crossings.
The footage forms part of ITV’s documentary, Undercover: A Year in Reform, scheduled to air on Sunday evening. Reform told the BBC it was pursuing legal action against ITV and the production company over the undercover reporting.
The investigation has raised fresh questions about the party’s vetting process. In July 2024, Farage promised to professionalise Reform and remove extremists.
Earlier footage showed party figures using racist, violent and sexist language. Reform said three councillors had resigned their posts, two had left the party and others were under investigation.
Among those who resigned was Alan Feeney, who quit Birmingham and Solihull councils after being filmed making racist remarks about Asian homeowners. He apologised, calling his comments wrong, offensive and unacceptable.
Reform said it had strengthened vetting but acknowledged that unsuitable people could still get through.
“There is no room for racism in Reform UK,” a spokesperson said.
Farage has defended the limits of vetting, saying, “you can’t vet people for what they say in the future”.
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