Reform councillor resigns after racist remarks caught on film

Alan Feeney has resigned from Reform UK and given up every post he held on Solihull Council and Birmingham City Council after being filmed making racist remarks, according to the BBC.

The footage was captured during undercover filming for an ITV News investigation in the run-up to May's council elections. Undercover reporters joined Mr Feeney in Solihull as he was campaigning.

While campaigning, he described an area as "infested" with Asian families and called them "absolute parasites". He was recorded saying no more than 1% of the UK population should be non-white.

Mr Feeney apologised for the remarks, calling them "wrong, offensive and completely unacceptable". Reform UK said it had "mutually agreed" with him that he would resign from the party.

He was suspended from his job with the prison service after the documentary was broadcast. His July register of interests with Solihull Council recorded him as employed as a custodial manager, a role overseeing prisoners in custody.

The Ministry of Justice described the comments captured in the documentary as "despicable" and said they would be investigated. Mr Feeney had defected from the Conservative Party to Reform last year and was elected to the Shard End ward on Birmingham City Council in May. He had served as a Reform councillor and deputy mayor of Solihull.

Reform MP Robert Jenrick said the party had acted quickly, removing or suspending those featured in the undercover film.