Reform UK accuses ITV of 'criminal activity' in undercover reporter scandal
An undercover journalist's employment at Reform UK's headquarters has sparked allegations of falsified documents, covert recordings and security breaches ahead of a television investigation into the party.
Reform UK has accused ITV of “probable criminal activity” after the party discovered an undercover journalist working for the broadcaster had secured a job at the party's headquarters.
Its deputy leader Richard Tice, 62, alleges passport information had been tampered with and false addresses supplied to obtain employment for the reporter, who worked inside Nigel Farage's party between late 2025 and early 2026.
The accusations come ahead of an ITV investigation expected to be broadcast on 18 October, following a separate Channel 4 documentary that prompted a Metropolitan Police investigation into allegations concerning foreign political donations.
In a video released by Reform UK, Richard said: “ITV and Hard Cash Productions have engaged in probable criminal activity against Reform UK.”
He added: “This includes tampering with passport information and the provision of fake addresses in order to fraudulently secure employment for an undercover reporter in Reform HQ.
“The individual thus became an employee and tried to gain access to Nigel Farage's security and travel arrangements as well as party financial arrangements.
“Not only is this completely outrageous and illegal, but it adds to our security concerns.”
The allegations have not been established as criminal offences.
Richard also accused ITV of breaching Ofcom rules governing undercover journalism, claiming its reporter had secretly recorded conversations involving employees at the party's headquarters.
Ofcom's broadcasting code permits secret filming and recording in circumstances where the public interest justifies the intrusion, including investigations into serious wrongdoing, subject to safeguards governing privacy and the methods used to obtain information.
Richard said: “The employee was discovered after a short period and removed from office.”
He added: “The person was written to in March 2026 by Reform lawyers setting out these concerns and reminding them of their legal obligations as an ex-employee regarding confidentiality issues.
“Instead, they've breached that confidentiality.
“And ITV intend to publicise private conversations between fellow employees in the workplace.”
Richard said Reform was spending “significant sums” on security to protect its senior figures and MPs, but argued such measures were undermined when journalists allegedly circumvented the party's vetting procedures.
He accused journalists working for ITV and Channel 4 of breaking the law and lying to obtain access to the party, although no finding of criminal wrongdoing by either broadcaster has been established.
The dispute follows a separate Channel 4 investigation involving undercover journalists from the group Verbatim, who posed as an American donor and his son.
The journalists approached senior Reform figures about financial support for the party, including arrangements involving polling and a potential £500,000 donation.
Footage showed discussions about ways money from foreign sources might reach the party, raising questions about compliance with electoral law.
Nigel Farage's long-standing aide Dan Jukes and the party's head of policy, James Orr, were subsequently suspended while the allegations were investigated.
The Metropolitan Police opened a criminal investigation into potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
Reform denied wrongdoing and said it would cooperate with the police investigation.
On 7 October, the party published findings from its own internal inquiry, which concluded no unlawful donations had been accepted and that neither official had broken political funding laws.
Both remained suspended pending the police investigation.
