New Delhi: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has suspended an activist who stated that Muslims cannot be British and called for migrants arriving in small boats to be placed in concentration camps.

Jason Powell, an applicant to become a Reform parliamentary candidate, made the comments to an undercover ITV reporter at a gathering in Clacton that thanked campaign volunteers for the party led by Nigel Farage. During the interaction, Powell asserted that being a Muslim and a British citizen are incompatible, comparing the combination to oil and water.

Powell also suggested that migrants who refuse to reveal their country of origin should be detained indefinitely. He maintained that his perspectives were not extreme and represented the general sentiment of the British public, proposing that holding facilities be constructed immediately during the first week of an election to house everyone crossing the English Channel.

Following the disclosures, Reform suspended Powell pending an internal investigation, according to the BBC. The right-wing populist party, which positions itself as an alternative to the Labour and Conservative parties while pushing for aggressive immigration cuts and stricter border enforcement, faces renewed questions regarding its candidate vetting procedures.

The recorded material is part of an upcoming ITV documentary titled Undercover: A Year in Reform. In response to the investigation, Reform stated that it is pursuing legal action against ITV and the associated production company over the undercover reporting methods.

Party leader Nigel Farage pledged in July 2024 to professionalize the right-wing organization and purge extremists from its ranks. However, prior footage has already highlighted party figures using violent, racist, and sexist terminology. Reform UK noted that three councillors have resigned from their positions, two have departed the party entirely, and additional members remain under internal review.

Among those stepping down was Alan Feeney, who resigned from the Birmingham and Solihull councils after being captured on film making racist statements directed at Asian homeowners. Feeney subsequently apologized, describing his remarks as unacceptable, offensive, and wrong.

While Reform asserts that it has enhanced its vetting protocols, the party acknowledged that unsuitable individuals may still manage to pass the screening stages. A party spokesperson emphasized that racism has no place within Reform UK. Meanwhile, Farage has defended the limitations of the screening process, arguing that it is impossible to vet individuals for statements they might make in the future.