Phillipson rejects Farage dismissing repeated incidents
Bridget PhillipsonChair of the Labour Party and MP for Houghton and Sunderland South
Phillipson says Farage cannot dismiss the findings as a few unsuitable individuals. She calls for the removal of those who made the comments and asks why the problem keeps recurring with his backing.
Responding to
Reform UK deals appropriately with people who say or do bad things.
“Nigel Farage can’t shrug these latest revelations off as being a few bad apples.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Farage defends Reform's vetting after ITV films racist remarks
ITV News published undercover reporting of racist and sexist remarks by Reform UK councillors and candidates. Nigel Farage defended the party's vetting and disciplinary response. Critics, including Labour chair Bridget Phillipson and ITV political editor Robert Peston, argued that the findings raised questions about leadership and checks on past conduct.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
The report quotes Farage defending vetting and discipline and Phillipson rejecting his handling of repeated incidents. First published October 14, it was updated October 15 with later responses.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Responding to ITV's investigation, Phillipson describes the reported racism and behaviour as sickening.
After the quotation
She demands that those who made the comments be removed from Reform and asks why Farage is failing to deal with repeated racism among people who stand with his support.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Phillipson expressly criticizes Farage's handling of repeated incidents and his explanation of them. Her criticism addresses the leadership response at issue, beyond condemning the language itself.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Nigel Farage, Reform UK
More from this case
Read the full caseFarage says Reform has some bad eggs like any large group
“Wherever you get thousands of people that congregate together, you will get some bad eggs. Do not buy in to the media narrative that somehow there's something uniquely awful about people in Reform. It just isn't true.”Read statement
Reform says it will take no action against two Hounslow councillors
Reform UK
“Cllrs Parkins and Kerr were giving their own personal opinions on the death penalty for members of child rape gangs in what they believed was a private conversation. We will not be taking further action against them.”Read statement
Jenrick says Reform acted against the individuals at issue
“But the individuals that you’re referring to today were suspended or were asked to resign, and that has happened.”Read statement
Share or embed this statement
The embed keeps its attribution link to The Dispute Index. Credit the image to The Dispute Index and link to the statement page.
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Phillipson rejects Farage dismissing repeated incidents
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/5867-phillipson-says-farage-cannot-dismiss-the-findings-as
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Phillipson rejects Farage dismissing repeated incidents". First published: 2026-11-09. Last updated: 2026-11-09. https://disputeindex.com/events/5867-phillipson-says-farage-cannot-dismiss-the-findings-as