MP Richard Tice Accuses ITV of Breaking the Law Over Reform Investigation: 'Hear From Our Lawyers'

Reform UK has launched investigations into members and councillors caught making racist, sexist and violent remarks in an undercover investigation, admitting that individuals who do not share the party's values have sometimes slipped through the vetting process.

However, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has since released a harsher statement, claiming that ITV Exposure, which produced the undercover report, probably broke the law to make the documentary. The investigative report followed councillors and candidates during campaigns and caught them on camera using 'distressing and graphic language' against minorities and even King Charles III.

Due Process

'Where members, activists and councillors have clearly behaved inappropriately, investigations have commenced. In some cases, there have been suspensions and due process must be followed,' the Reform UK statement to ITV News said.

But according to Tice: 'ITV and Hardcash Productions have engaged in probable criminal activity against Reform UK. This includes tampering with passport information and the provision of fake addresses in order to fraudulently secure employment for an undercover reporter in Reform HQ.'

Tice said ITV would hear from Reform UK's lawyers. He also discouraged Reform UK members from talking to any ITV representatives. 'Well, they're not going to feel the same when they hear from our lawyers. Of that I can assure you. And I'm urging the whole Reform family of MPs, councillors, members to refuse to speak to ITV in any capacity whatsoever until they apologise,' he also said.

Tice released a four-minute-and-23-second statement using Reform UK's official X account. He said that the reporter became a Reform UK employee and 'tried to gain access to Nigel Farage's security and travel arrangements, as well as party financial arrangements.'

'Not only is this completely outrageous and illegal, but it adds to our security concerns,' Tice also said. The investigation covered campaigns in 2025 and 2026. Tice also said the reporter breached a confidentiality agreement.

Was the Councillor a Tory Plant?

The MP for Boston and Skegness also claimed that one of the Reform UK councillors caught on camera making vile remarks was a 'Tory plant.' He did not mention the name but described the person as someone who defected from the Conservative Party and was photographed with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

'And of course, if you record hundreds of conversations undercover over a 12-month period, using dozens of people, you'll find people say some stuff that I wouldn't say, agree with or condone. That's life. It's called the real world. But it's a reflection of people's anger at what's gone on.

'But all of these comments, frankly, are for nothing compared to the security risks that senior Reform people now face and that ITV don't seem to care about,' Tice also said. Party leader Nigel Farage had not publicly commented on the issue at the time of writing.

However, Farage's latest tweets, as well as those of other senior Reform UK members, were bombarded with ITV News video snippets, even when their statements were unrelated.

Reactions

Baroness Meral Hussein Ece said: 'A dangerous & racist party attracts & promotes these types of people.' 'Absolutely abhorrent,' chimed in Councillor Graeme Casey. Both are Liberal Democrats.

Labour Party elected officials expressed similar views. 'This is absolutely sickening,' said MP Taiwo Owatemi, while MP Tris Osborne said: 'This is why hope must triumph over hate.'