Gethen said she had been “really shocked” by the revelations
The leader of Reform UK in Solihull is facing calls to resign after three councillors stepped down following revelations of racist, Islamophobic and misogynistic remarks.
Samantha Gethen has defended her handling of the controversy after an undercover ITV investigation exposed offensive comments made by members of her group.
The councillors, Alan Feeney, Chris Whelan and Jamie Campbell, were elected to represent Castle Bromwich in May 2026. All three have since resigned from Solihull Borough Council.
The scandal has raised questions about Reform UK’s candidate vetting procedures and its initial response to the allegations.
The controversy emerged after ITV’s Exposure documentary revealed secretly recorded comments made during the 2026 local election campaign.
Feeney was filmed describing Asian residents as “parasites” and claiming some streets were “infested”. He also suggested Muslims should be removed from their homes and deported to Pakistan.
The footage showed him refusing to knock on doors where residents appeared to have Asian names.
Campbell was recorded suggesting pork chops could be buried in the ground to prevent a mosque from being built locally. Whelan was filmed making sexually explicit remarks about female Reform UK candidates.
Solihull Borough Council formally condemned the comments during an extraordinary meeting on Monday, October 19.
Speaking to ITV News Central, Gethen said she had been “really shocked” by the revelations, adding: “You think you know people?”
However, she faced questions over Reform UK’s initial decision to describe Campbell’s comments as a “joke in poor taste” without malicious intent.
The party initially allowed him to remain a member and retain his position as deputy group leader. Gethen suggested the seriousness of his remarks became clearer after watching the documentary.
She also faced criticism over the party’s decision to thank Feeney for his service when his departure was announced.
Gethen said: “I’ve always known him as a really hard-working councillor.”
She previously apologised to Castle Bromwich residents, describing the comments as “offensive, hurtful and wrong”.
She added: “Nobody who holds those views should represent the people of Castle Bromwich.”
Conservative councillor James Johnson has called on Gethen to resign as Reform UK’s group leader in Solihull, accusing her of a failure of leadership.
He told ITV News Central:
“It’s been a failure of leadership, and she’s meant to be the leader of the Reform group.”
Johnson argued that all three councillors should have been removed immediately, questioning the judgement behind the party’s initial response.
He added: “I think she should resign on principle.”
Meanwhile, Reform UK is preparing to contest three by-elections in Castle Bromwich following the resignations.
Gethen said three new candidates were ready to stand, insisting: “Always vetted properly.”
Feeney later apologised for his remarks, describing them as “wrong, offensive and completely unacceptable”. Campbell also apologised online for any offence caused while insisting he was not racist.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny of Reform UK’s candidate selection and leadership as the party prepares to defend its Castle Bromwich seats.
