Have any Reform UK MPs or candidates been disciplined for racist remarks or actions?
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Executive summary
Reform UK has removed or revoked membership from at least one senior councillor and dropped several candidates amid allegations of racist online comments, and the party has faced multiple disciplinary probes and suspensions over such material (see Ian Cooper membership revoked [1]; three candidates dropped in 2024 [2]). Reporting shows a pattern of internal investigations, some expulsions and some instances where the party did not take action — leaving questions about consistency in discipline [1] [3] [2].
1. A senior council leader expelled after alleged racist posts
Reform UK revoked the membership of Ian Cooper, leader of Staffordshire County Council, after Hope Not Hate highlighted social media posts alleged to be linked to him; Cooper resigned as council leader and the party said the revocation followed an investigation into failure to declare social media accounts during vetting [1] [4]. Local and national outlets report the move as an expulsion tied directly to the allegations and to the party’s internal probe [5] [6].
2. Others suspended, some dropped, some left in place — inconsistent responses
Reporting shows the party has in the past withdrawn support from at least three parliamentary candidates over racism rows (June 2024) while in other cases it declined to sanction councillors whose accounts were linked to offensive content — for example Reform said it would not be taking action over Councillor Chris Large despite links to racist TikTok comments, a decision that drew public criticism [2] [3] [7]. The contrast between expulsions and decisions not to act has been emphasised by critics in national media [1] [3].
3. Party leader and leadership under separate racism allegations
Nigel Farage, Reform’s chief executive and public face, faces his own wave of allegations from former school contemporaries about racist and antisemitic behaviour decades ago; Farage strongly denies those claims and has publicly attacked broadcasters and threatened legal action, framing the coverage as unfair [8] [9]. Commentators and some victims’ accounts link the party culture to the leader’s rhetoric, arguing leadership sets tone and may indirectly affect how member conduct is handled [10].
4. Local fallout: council meetings, protests and political pressure
The Staffordshire case generated street-level consequences: protesters interrupted a council meeting demanding resignations after the social-media revelations, and other councillors have been asked to stay away from meetings amid local fallout [4] [7]. Opposition figures and local media called for resignations and criticised Reform for allowing a local culture of bigotry to fester [11] [1].
5. Role of activist groups and media in prompting discipline
Most public disciplinary moves reported followed investigations or exposure by campaign groups and the press; Hope Not Hate’s findings triggered Reform’s probe into Cooper’s accounts, and media outlets documented multiple incidents that led to candidates being dropped or suspended [1] [5] [2]. That pattern shows much action has been reactive to external reporting rather than proactively disclosed by the party [1] [12].
6. Evidence of expulsions, suspensions and dropped candidacies — but not a comprehensive list
Available sources document specific cases: Ian Cooper’s membership was revoked [1] and Reform withdrew support for at least three candidates in 2024 [2]; reports also mention at least two other politicians suspended last month amid offensive-message allegations [5]. Available sources do not mention a full, authoritative list of every Reform UK MP, councillor or candidate ever disciplined for racist remarks across the party, so it is not possible from current reporting to present an exhaustive roster.
7. Political framing and competing interpretations
Reform’s leadership frames many of these controversies as either misunderstandings, historical claims denied by individuals, or targeted media attacks — Farage denies wrongdoing and counters with accusations of double standards against broadcasters [8] [9]. Opponents and campaigners argue the incidents reveal an embedded culture of xenophobia and bigotry within Reform’s ranks and point to uneven disciplinary outcomes as evidence [10] [1].
Limitations and takeaway
This account is based solely on the supplied reporting: it documents expulsions (Ian Cooper), dropped candidates and suspensions tied to racist or offensive remarks [1] [2] [5], plus high-profile allegations about the leader [8]. Available sources do not provide a complete catalogue of every disciplinary action across Reform UK, nor do they include internal party disciplinary records beyond the cases publicised by media and campaign groups.