Nigel Farage reacts to reports of 'racist' Reform UK campaigners - 'I am dismayed'
Nigel Farage has said he is "dismayed" by reports of "racism" from Reform UK campaigners.
An undercover investigation showed a Reform campaigner using a racist slur to describe Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Andrew Parker referred to Sunak as a "f****** p***" while canvassing in Clacton, Essex, where Farage is standing as an MP.
The Channel 4 investigation also revealed that the right-wing activist suggested army recruits should carry out "target practice" on migrants arriving in the UK across the Channel.
Nigel Farage has said he is "dismayed" by reports of "racism" from Reform UK campaigners
PA
The investigation also uncovered a seeming admission the party breached the local electoral campaign spending limit in Clacton.
In a statement, Farage said: "I am dismayed by the reported comments of a handful of people associated with my local campaign, particularly those who are volunteers. They will no longer be with the campaign.
"The appalling sentiments expressed by some in these exchanges bear no relation to my own views, those of the vast majority of our supporters or Reform UK policy. Some of the language used was reprehensible.
"Reform UK is a party for everybody who believes in Britain.
"I am proud that our supporters, candidates and national campaign team come from all backgrounds and identities.
"I would be interested to know whether Channel 4 is subjecting the grassroots volunteers of all the political parties to similar subterfuges, or whether Reform UK has been singled out for special attention.
"For instance, have they covered the grotesquely racist social media post by Labour’s candidate in Clacton who has now apparently been banished to the Midlands?
"Just one week before polling day, we will not allow this to distract us from our mission to give voters a real alternative to the establishment parties that have broken Britain."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the revelations are a "test of leadership" for Farage.
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He told the BBC he was "shocked by what I heard in the report, clearly racist, and I think this is a test of leadership".
When it was put to him that Farage had "distanced himself" from the comments, Starmer added: "Well he has, but you have to ask the question why so many people who are supporting Reform seem to be exposed in this particular way.
"It’s for a leader to change his or her party, to make sure the culture is right, and the standards are understood by everybody within the party.
"That’s why I’ve changed the Labour Party, that’s why I’ve put it to a party that says: ‘Country first, party second'."