Reform MSs caseworker caught using racial slur in ITV probe
Emily Price
A caseworker employed by a prominent Reform UK Member of the Senedd has been caught using highly offensive racist language during a discussion about Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch in an ITV undercover investigation.
Martin Roberts was Reform UK’s fourth-placed candidate in Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr at the May 7 Senedd election but failed to secure a seat in Wales’ Parliament.
In October 2025, when Reform was canvassing ahead of a key by-election in Caerphilly, an undercover reporter working for ITV joined party campaigners knocking on doors and handing out leaflets.
The reporter met Roberts, who was a branch treasurer for Reform in Pontypridd.
Hidden cameras showed ITV’s reporter telling Roberts he was from Leicester, which he said had changed.
“Lots of d*****s, is it?” Roberts replied. “Say what you want around me, man.”
When the discussion turned to the Tory Party’s prospects, the undercover reporter said he didn’t believe they would be successful with Kemi Badenoch leading.
“What, because she’s black?” asked Roberts, laughing. He then added: “I used to hear all these comments as I was growing up, you know, like ah look at that f****** four-door over there.
“I’m like, what’s a four-door? Four-door saloon, c**n.”
Roberts told ITV News he was trying to be “humorous and informal” but said he accepted and regretted using language he described as “inappropriate”.
He denied being a bigot or an extremist.
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar condemned the remarks made by Roberts in the footage.
He said: “I totally condemn this appalling racist language. There is no place for racism in our society or in our politics.”
A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: “The racist language exposed by ITV has no place in Welsh politics.
“Reform UK and Helen Jenner must explain how Martin Roberts was selected as a candidate and given a taxpayer-funded Senedd role.
“Wales deserves answers. Another bad apple excuse won’t cut it.”
In June 2026, Nation.Cymru reported how Roberts had been hired as a caseworker by Reform’s Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr MS Jason O’Connell.
At the time, we asked O’Connell if he had any concerns about Roberts’ views, but he did not respond to our questions.
Roberts was accused of misogyny during Reform’s Senedd election campaign after making offensive remarks about women during a heated exchange on Facebook with Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan.
During the online row, Roberts suggested women should stay home with their babies while men “go out and provide”.
Roberts went on to claim that Plaid’s flagship childcare policy would cause abuse in nurseries to “skyrocket”, adding that “mothers will wish they’d looked after their babies themselves”.
His comments about women were later raised in the Senedd by Plaid’s Keira Marshall during a debate about her party’s free childcare proposals.
During her speech, O’Connell tried to block the new mother from raising Roberts’ remarks.
ITV’s Exposure documentary will air on Sunday at 10pm.
It will reveal undercover footage taken by reporters who canvassed with Reform UK candidates and councillors across England and Wales.
Reform UK told ITV News: “Where members, activists and councillors have clearly behaved inappropriately, investigations have commenced. In some cases, there have been suspensions and due process must be followed.
“Reform UK has improved and prioritised its vetting procedures, but from time to time, a handful of individuals who do not share our values will initially make it through vetting. This is the same for all organisations.”
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He is a typical reform hate filled racist bigot.
Reform is now attempting to smear ITV journalists as having acted unlawfully in its undercover journalism. I’d like to put these questions to Richard Tice:
1. What evidence does Reform have to support its allegations?
2. Has it given that evidence to the relevant authorities?
3. If not, what was the cause for a delay?
Otherwise everything they say should be considered hearsay and potentially defamatory conduct in the absence of hard evidence.
He thinks he’s superior when he’s a balding ugly fat man. Being a horrible person makes you horrible to look at
There’s lunatics in every party that’s life . I’m glad they have been outed
There’s nothing but lunatics in Reform UK. Misogynists, racist, homophobic, transphobic bigots – the lot of them.
This is what reform are, this is not a one off or bad apple, it is a feature of the party.
Only racists say racist things. He’s scum and should get the boot but won’t.
Reform, where racists are welcome.
Oh yeah, ITV article is here
https://www.itv.com/news/2026-10-14/inside-reform-councillors-extreme-and-racist-views-on-camera
Its clear that Reform have been aware of the behaviour of these individuals for sometime
They could have headed it off at the gate immediately dismissed them and apologised
Blamed it on the teenage Kent councillor for inadequate vetting
It looks like instead the response has been to threaten ITV with legal action which clearly didn’t work
I’s bad and some
Apparently, Reform are not racist—it’s just a few bad apples, according to cult leader Nigel Farage. Oh sure. If you believe that BS, are twp!
What on earth has happened to Wales when these types have been allowed to settle in our towns.?
I feel extremely uneasy having these guys anywhere in our areas.
The very dregs of society.