Here Is What a Reform UK Activist Said About Muslims Living in Britain That Has Sparked Outrage Online

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has suspended one of its activists after he was caught on camera making controversial comments about Muslims living in Britain and migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.

The activist, Jason Powell, who had applied to become a parliamentary candidate for Reform UK, made the comments while speaking to an undercover ITV reporter at an event organised to thank people who had helped Nigel Farage during his election campaign in Clacton.

During the conversation, Powell claimed that Muslims could not be British, comparing the two identities to oil and water. His comments have caused concern and raised questions about the views of some people hoping to represent Reform UK in Parliament.

Powell also suggested that migrants arriving in Britain by crossing the English Channel should be placed in what he called “concentration camps”. He said such camps should be built within the first week of a new government taking office.

According to the undercover recording, Powell wanted migrants who arrived in small boats to be detained. He also suggested keeping people in detention for an unlimited period if they refused to reveal which country they came from.

Despite the seriousness of his comments, Powell reportedly insisted that his opinions were not extreme. He claimed that many ordinary British people shared similar views about immigration.

Following the release of the recording, Reform UK took action against Powell by suspending him from the party while an internal investigation takes place.

The BBC reported that the party had confirmed his suspension and was looking into the matter.

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has become known for its strong position on immigration. The party has repeatedly called for a major reduction in the number of people coming to Britain and tougher action against migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.

The party presents itself as an alternative to both Labour and the Conservatives, arguing that previous governments have failed to deal properly with immigration and other problems facing the country.

However, the latest controversy has brought fresh attention to the behaviour of some Reform UK members and raised concerns about how the party checks people before allowing them to stand for public office.

The comments were recorded as part of an ITV documentary called Undercover: A Year in Reform, which was scheduled to be shown on Sunday evening.

The documentary follows people connected to Reform UK and examines what happens inside the party away from public events and television interviews.

Reform UK has strongly criticised the undercover investigation. The party told the BBC that it was taking legal action against ITV and the company responsible for producing the documentary.

The controversy comes after Nigel Farage previously promised to make Reform UK more professional and remove people holding extremist views.

In July 2024, Farage said he wanted to improve the party’s standards and make sure unsuitable individuals were not allowed to represent it.

However, the latest recordings have raised questions about whether those promises have been fully carried out.

Earlier footage from the investigation reportedly showed other people connected to Reform UK making racist, sexist and violent comments.

Following those revelations, the party confirmed that three councillors had resigned from their positions, while two other people had left Reform UK. Several others were also being investigated.

One of those who resigned was Alan Feeney, who stepped down from his positions on Birmingham and Solihull councils after being filmed making racist comments about Asian homeowners.

Feeney later apologised for what he had said. He admitted that his remarks were wrong, offensive and unacceptable.

Reform UK has maintained that it does not support racism or discrimination and that people expressing such views do not represent the party’s official position.

A party spokesperson said Reform UK had improved the way it checks potential candidates and members, although the party accepted that some unsuitable individuals could still get through the process.

The spokesperson made it clear that racism had no place in Reform UK.

Nigel Farage has also defended the difficulties involved in checking the backgrounds and behaviour of people joining a political party.

He argued that although parties can investigate someone’s past, it is impossible to know everything that person might say or do in the future.

The latest incident has once again placed Reform UK under pressure to explain how it chooses its representatives and what steps it is taking to prevent similar controversies.

It has also added to the wider debate about immigration, political language and the responsibilities of people seeking public office in Britain.

While Reform UK continues to campaign for stricter immigration rules and stronger border controls, the party now faces further questions about whether it can maintain those policies while making sure its members follow the standards it has publicly promised.

For now, Powell remains suspended while the party investigates his comments. The outcome of that investigation will determine whether he faces further disciplinary action or is allowed to continue his involvement with Reform UK.