Turmoil in Reform UK: Candidate Exits Amid Racism Row, Endorses Tories as Farage Faces Backlash

Reform candidate withdraws and endorses the Conservatives – while Nigel Farage acknowledges that certain BNP backers are drawn to his party

Mr. Farage responds to the scandal involving a Reform campaigner who was recorded using a racial epithet against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a covert probe.

Political journalist @fayebrownSky

Sunday, June 30, 2024, 6:

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A candidate from Reform UK has cut ties with the party and is now supporting the Conservatives following a dispute concerning racist remarks.

Liam Booth-Isherwood, previously a candidate for the Erewash constituency, has withdrawn from the electoral contest, throwing his support behind Conservative candidate Maggie Throup in an effort to prevent a Labour victory.

He expressed growing disappointment with the party's conduct and criticized leader Nigel Farage for not treating it with sufficient seriousness.

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The issue arose after a canvasser from the Reform party was recorded using a racial slur to describe the prime minister during a covert investigation.

Reform UK has been compelled to withdraw multiple candidates from elections due to their involvement in making racially insensitive comments.

In a formal declaration, Mr. Booth-Isherwood announced, "I am hereby resigning from the Reform Party and effective immediately, I am halting my campaign as the Reform representative for Erewash."

In recent times, my disappointment with Reform's actions and demeanor has grown significantly.

Throughout the General Election campaign in Erewash, I have had the privilege of working with numerous honorable and diligent individuals. However, the emergence of pervasive reports of racism and sexism within the Reform party highlights a profound ethical problem among some of its factions. Moreover, the leadership’s lack of serious engagement with these issues, coupled with their failure to resolve them, compels me to disassociate from the party.

"Consequently, I am officially supporting the Conservative Party's representative, Maggie Throup, for Erewash. She alone has the capability to defeat Labour."

Mr. Farage has come under fire from various political factions for not addressing claims of racism within the Reform Party, which have recently plagued the group.

On Sunday, he asserted that the "bad apples have been removed" from the party and refuted any suggestions that he had incited bigotry.

The controversy stems from a recent covert probe by Channel 4, where footage revealed Reform party member Andrew Parker using derogatory language about the Prime Minister, referring to him using the ethnic slur "P***." Parker also labeled Islam as a "disgious cult" and suggested that the military should "just shoot" migrants attempting to cross the Channel.

A different canvasser referred to the Pride flag as "corrupt" and implied that individuals in the LGBT community are involved in pedophilia.

On Saturday, Reform UK announced the withdrawal of backing for three of its candidates due to racially insensitive comments. This includes a candidate who reportedly made derogatory statements urging black individuals to stop being lazy and refrain from behaving "like savages".

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On Sunday, Mr Farage addressed the controversy on Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, stating, "Political parties draw a wide range of individuals. In my view, politics can reveal both the finest and the poorest qualities in people, and I am certainly not exacerbating any conflicts. My goal is for national unity."

When asked about why individuals with extreme beliefs seem to gravitate towards his party, the ex-UKIP leader suggested that it was due to him effectively eliminating the British Nationalist Party (BNP) as a viable electoral option.

"Interestingly, dismantling the BNP leaves those with similar inclinations without a gathering place, leading some to drift towards us," he noted.

He further expressed that he had no interest in associating with anyone who holds racist beliefs.

He further stated, "Trevor, my dream is for a nation where color truly doesn't matter. Your skin color or sexual orientation is irrelevant to me. I believe in treating everyone with equal respect and fairness. That's what I stand for."

'Undesirable Elements Removed from Reform'

Addressing a gathering of 5,000 attendees at what he described as his "largest rally to date" this afternoon, Mr. Farage reiterated his allegation that Mr. Parker is a "hired performer" involved in a "calculated effort to sabotage our campaign," a claim both Channel 4 and Mr. Parker have refuted.

Further reading: Alarming allegations of Russian meddling in the electoral process as Farage's address is disrupted by a banner featuring Putin.

Regarding the election betting scandal, he commented, "Did we encounter some wrongdoers? Indeed, we did. However, as far as I am aware, there is no one participating in a structured betting ring who is a candidate for us.

"I must admit, the troublemakers have been removed. They won't be returning."

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The demonstration occurred following the prime minister intensifying his criticism of Mr. Farage, accusing him of displaying "no contrition or remorse."

On Friday, Rishi Sunak chose to reiterate the offensive remark directed at him in order to highlight its nature.

Inquiring about the distinction between the Reform controversy and the incident involving Frank Hester, a Conservative supporter accused of making racist remarks about Diane Abbott, he explained to BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: "The difference is Nigel Farage recently labeled these remarks [by Mr Parker] as inappropriate.

"They weren't simply inappropriate. They were disgusting, racist, and unacceptable.

"The individual responsible has issued an apology solely to the Reform Party for the repercussions experienced by them. This illustrates a distinct contrast. There is an absence of genuine remorse, regret, or acknowledgment of the events that transpired in that instance."

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Mr. Hester, a donor of £15 million to the Conservative party, expressed regret for his remarks about Ms. Abbott. He asserted that his comments were unrelated to her gender or race.

Mr. Sunak faced backlash for his initial reaction to the claims involving a prominent party benefactor, eventually denouncing the comments as "racist."

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