Twenty-seven MPs have called on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to launch a formal investigation into Reform UK, accusing the party of fostering a culture of Islamophobia that is putting British Muslims at risk. In a letter to Mary-Ann Stephenson, the EHRC’s chairperson, the group argues that the party has potentially breached its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and lacks adequate disciplinary procedures for handling complaints. The demand, coordinated by Labour MP Afzal Khan, marks the latest attempt to hold the party to account over a series of alleged incidents spanning more than a decade.
The letter’s core claims
The MPs’ letter, first reported by Sky News and seen by the Press Association, warns that “the prevalence of racism within Reform UK does not exist in a vacuum and has real-world consequences for the millions of British Muslims in our country.” It contends that when elected politicians “make comments that seek to spread hatred against Muslims because they are Muslim, this leads to a culture of intolerance and discrimination against Muslim party members and voters and has an impact on social cohesion across the country.” Afzal Khan, the MP for Manchester Rusholne, said the party had “consistently failed to tackle their growing Islamophobia problem” and warned that “consistent attacks on Muslim communities are putting Muslims in Britain in danger and social cohesion at risk.” The signatories include 26 Labour MPs – among them Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Allison Gardner and Simon Opher – as well as independent MP Diane Abbott, who was previously Labour.
Equality Act 2010 and disciplinary process
Central to the MPs’ call is the assertion that Reform UK may have breached its duties under the Equality Act 2010. The Act imposes a legal obligation on all organisations, including political parties, not to discriminate against individuals on the basis of protected characteristics, including religion or belief. The letter specifically accuses the party of failing to provide a robust internal disciplinary mechanism through which concerns can be raised and addressed. The EHRC, as the statutory body responsible for enforcing equality law in Great Britain, has the power to investigate such complaints. Its process typically begins with a review of the complaint, followed by evidence gathering – including interviews and document requests – and a determination. If unlawful discrimination is found, the commission can attempt conciliation or take further legal action, including issuing enforcement notices. The EHRC previously conducted a high-profile investigation into antisemitism within the Labour Party, setting a precedent for statutory action against political organisations. In the case of Reform UK, the MPs argue that the absence of a credible internal complaints system means unlawful behaviour may go unchecked, leaving the party in breach of its legal responsibilities.
Examples of alleged Islamophobia
To substantiate their case, the letter lists a series of comments made by Reform UK members, dating back to 2014. Among the most prominent is a statement by party leader Nigel Farage calling for a ban on mass religious observances following a Ramadan event in Trafalgar Square earlier this year. Farage described the event as “an attempt to overtake, intimidate and dominate our way of life,” and when asked in March whether he backed banning all mass religious observances, he replied, “Yes.” He later elaborated that while individuals praying would not be stopped, “mass prayer is banned, mass Muslim prayer is banned, in many Muslim countries in the Middle East itself.” Critics argue that this explicitly singles out Muslims despite a long British tradition of public religious gatherings.
The letter also cites a Prime Minister’s Questions session in June 2025 when Reform UK MP for Runcorn and Helsby Sarah Pochin asked Sir Keir Starmer whether he would “ban the burka,” pointing to measures in France, Denmark and Belgium. The question reportedly caused outrage in the Commons. Internally, there appears to have been disagreement: it has been reported that Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf called the question “dumb,” arguing it did not align with party policy. Mr Farage acknowledged that the issue of face coverings in public deserved debate.
Broader pattern of allegations
The MPs’ concerns are not limited to these high-profile incidents. In May 2025, up to 12 newly elected Reform UK councillors faced allegations of sharing far-right and Islamophobic content on social media, including material from Britain First. The campaign group Hope Not Hate identified candidates who allegedly posted anti-Muslim hate, pushed far-right conspiracies, praised the extremist Tommy Robinson, and shared content from Holocaust denier David Irving. Reports in May 2026 highlighted ongoing worries about Reform UK’s candidate vetting process, with several candidates accused of posting racist and Islamophobic views online and supporting far-right figures. Three candidates were expelled for alleged past association with the British National Party (BNP).
Specific local incidents have also drawn attention. Brett Muscroft, a Reform UK councillor in Wakefield, was reported in May 2026 to have shared racist and Islamophobic posts, including the statement: “I will not submit to Islam in my own country.” In April 2024, Reform UK dropped a candidate in Yorkshire after racist and Islamophobic posts surfaced, but declined to act against three others. That candidate had shared content from Britain First and its leader Paul Golding. Lee Bunker, a Reform UK regional organiser, allegedly suggested Diane Abbott should be deported and that migrants were “bringing in diseases with them.” Sandra Senior, a candidate, shared content from far-right accounts and petitions targeting women of colour. Adam Wood, another candidate, has links to Matteo Salvini’s Lega party. Paul Bean, a Reform UK councillor, was suspended from his job at the Home Office processing asylum claims following an investigation into social media posts criticising asylum seekers.
Reform UK’s response
A Reform UK spokesperson said: “We stand by our comments. We will not be intimidated.” Another source within the party, according to the research briefing, suggested that Labour “kowtow to Islamists for votes” and that the British public are “tired of pathetic accusations and made up words such as Islamophobia.” The EHRC has been contacted for comment. The MPs’ letter now awaits the commission’s decision on whether to proceed with a formal investigation.
