Jenrick defends Farage after allegations over Reform candidate

Summary

Reform MP Robert Jenrick defended Nigel Farage, saying he had probably done more than almost anybody to stand against racism and the far right, The Guardian reports. The remarks followed ITV footage in which a Reform official accused Farage of protecting a mayoral candidate over alleged racist comments about David Lammy; the footage also showed MP Sarah Pochin criticizing chauvinism and women's exclusion in the party, according to The Guardian. The BBC reports that Farage defended Reform's vetting after activists were filmed making racist comments, saying the party cannot vet for future comments.

Timeline

1. BBC

   15 Oct 2026, 16:36 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that Farage defended Reform's vetting after activists were filmed making racist comments, saying that the party cannot vet for future comments.

2. The Guardian

   15 Oct 2026, 19:09 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that ITV footage showed a Reform official accusing Farage of protecting a mayoral candidate over alleged racist comments about David Lammy, and showed Sarah Pochin criticizing chauvinism and women's exclusion in the party.

3. The Guardian

   16 Oct 2026, 08:40 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Reform MP Robert Jenrick defended Farage, saying he had probably done more than almost anybody to stand against racism and the far right.