Reform councillor accuses ITV of ‘election interference’ after undercover documentary

Reform councillor accuses ITV of ‘election interference’ after undercover documentary A Reform UK councillor has accused ITV of potential election interference after claiming undercover reporters campaigned alongside party candidates in Portsmouth. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Aditi Rane , Reporter 17:06, Fri, Oct 16, 2026 Updated: 17:28, Fri, Oct 16, 2026 Nigel Farage has criticised ITV’s undercover investigation into Reform UK (Image: Getty) A Reform UK councillor has accused ITV of potential “election interference” after claiming two journalists who infiltrated the party’s Portsmouth branch campaigned alongside its candidates before the local elections. Cllr George Madgwick said he was “shocked and disgusted” after discovering the identities of two men he alleges posed as campaigners before appearing in ITV’s undercover investigation into Reform UK . In a statement, Madgwick claimed the men campaigned in Portsmouth during March and April, helping the party in four electoral seats. He said Reform lost in three of those seats by a small number of votes. “We have no way to know whether they posted flyers they were meant to. Or whether they gave us correct door knocking information,” he said. “By default ITV could have literally paid reporters to ruin an election result for Reform UK candidates. That has to be criminal.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Cllr Madgwick did not provide evidence that the journalists deliberately disrupted campaigning or affected the results. His allegations of possible criminal conduct have not been established. He also said he had allowed the two men into his home, made them drinks and introduced them to his dogs, describing the experience as an “entirely disgusting invasion of personal privacy”. The councillor said he had photographs of the men but would not identify them publicly at this stage, adding that he might do so after receiving advice. Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Addressing his own appearance in the documentary, Cllr Madgwick said he remained firm in everything he had personally said. He disputed the programme’s description of him as a member of the Portsmouth Patriots, saying he had never belonged to the group but had supported its movement “from the sidelines”. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT He described the group’s executive team as “good people” and said its members were passionate local residents who cared about their community. However, he acknowledged that people from outside the group had carried out “abhorrent things”, which he said should be condemned. Cllr Madgwick said he hoped ITV would be held to account over what he described as potential criminal behaviour and election interference. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Andy Burnham introduces new £1.98 driveway rule - starts in October Yorkshire Wildlife Park issues major new update on fate of tiger after man mauled to death STATEMENT I am aware that ITV infiltrated the Portsmouth Reform UK branch for their undercover report. I am featured in their documentary. Not in a bad way, in my opinion, but still featured. I’ll get to that in a minute….What I am more shocked and disgusted in is that I now know who the two reporters were whom infiltrated us. These two men campaigned with us in March/April in Portsmouth and it leads me to wonder whether their interference in an election is a potential criminal offence. We have no way to know whether they posted flyers they were meant to. Or whether they gave us correct door knocking information. They campaigned in four seats specifically where, in 3, we lost by a small number of votes. Their involvement would have had an impact on the result. By default ITV could have literally paid reporters to ruin an election result for Reform UK candidates. That has to be criminal. On a personal level I allowed these men in my home. I made them drinks. They met my dogs. It’s an entirely disgusting invasion of personal privacy. I have photos of these men and know who they are - I will not disclose them at this stage but may in the future once I’ve gotten advice In relation to my involvement with the documentary I remain firm in everything I personally said. I was never a member of the Portsmouth Patriots, as the documentary states, but I have supported their movement over the years from the sidelines. The executive team who run them are good people. Yes outside third parties have come in and done some abhorrent things. Those people should be condemned. But the local group themselves are decent, passionate, local residents who care deeply about their community.I’m appalled by ITV and hope they are held to account for their potential criminal behaviour and election interference. The two reporters involved in infiltrating Portsmouth I hope are held to account for their personal actions in the outcome of elections. The money, resources and time spent by companies and individuals to damage Reform UK are unprecedented in our political system - you have to ask yourself why? — Cllr George Madgwick (@georgedmadgwick) October 15, 2026 The ITV News investigation found Reform UK councillors and candidates had used racist and offensive language, including references to black children as “animals” and claims that an area had become “infested” with Asian families. Reform leader Nigel Farage criticised the investigation in an interview with the Daily Express, accusing the “establishment” of trying to discredit his party. He argued that other political parties should face similar scrutiny and suggested sending undercover operatives to investigate Conservative councillors. Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed ITV’s investigation, saying there was “no place for any form of racism, antisemitism, discrimination in British politics”. An ITV spokesperson said: “ITV's programme Undercover: A Year In Reform was produced in compliance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, relevant laws, and its broadcast is in the public interest. All journalists were instructed to operate within this framework and did so under the supervision of the programme's producers.” ITV Reform UK Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments