Rishi Sunak 'hurt and angry' over racial slur used by Reform UK activist

On a campaign visit to a school in Teesside, the Prime Minister told broadcasters: “My two daughters have to see and hear Reform people who campaign to Nigel Farage calling me an effing p***. It hurts and it makes me angry, and I think he has some questions to answer.

“I don’t repeat those words lightly. I do so deliberately, because this is too important not to call out clearly for what it is.”

Asked whether he was frustrated that some former Tory voters are leaning towards Reform UK when their activists are making racist and homophobic comments, Sunak said: “When you see Reform candidates and campaigners seemingly using racist and misogynistic language and opinion, seemingly without challenge, I think it tells you something about the culture in the Reform party.

“Andrew Tate isn’t an important voice for men. He’s a vile misogynist. And our politics and country is better than that.

“As Prime Minister, but more importantly as a father of two young girls, it’s my duty to call out this corrosive and divisive behaviour.”

Sunak said he repeated the racial slur used against him because it is important to call it out for what it is.

The Prime Minister said: “I hate having to do it, I chose my words deliberately, I hate having to repeat them, absolutely hate it.

“But I also think it’s important to call this out for what it is and be clear about what it is.”

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 said he is "dismayed" by reports of "racism" from Reform UK campaigners.

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."

Parker, who works as an actor, has said he regrets making the remarks which were caught on camera by an undercover reporter.

He told the PA news agency he had made the comments in “the heat of the moment” because he was being “goaded on”.

The Reform activist said: “Of course I regret what I said. Christ, I’m not a racist. I’ve had Muslim girlfriends. It was typical chaps-down-the-pub talk.”

Asked whether he would like to apologise, he said: “Of course I’m sorry. They were off-the-cuff things that everyone says.”

He said he had “a lot of Pakistani friends” and “Muslim friends”, and that he was “sick to death” of being asked about the footage.