Labour MPs urge ‘Islamophobia’ probe into Reform UK
Twenty-seven MPs have called for Equality Watch to investigate allegations of Islamophobia in the UK Reform Party.
In their letter to Mary-Ann Stephenson, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the group called for a “formal investigation” into Nigel Farage’s party.
They said Reform UK was potentially in breach of its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and claimed there was no adequate disciplinary process for people in the party to raise their concerns.
Afzal Khan, Labor MP for Manchester Rusholme, who co-ordinated the letter, said: “Reformation in England has consistently failed to tackle the growing problem of Islamophobia.”
He warned that “persistent attacks on Muslim communities endanger Muslims in Britain and put social cohesion at risk.”
Those who signed the letter include 26 Labor MPs, including Mr Khan, Clapham and Brixton Hill MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Poole MP Neil Duncan-Jordan, Stoke-on-Trent South MP Allison Gardner and Stroud MP Simon Opher. Also on the list is Diane Abbott, the independent MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, who was previously a Labor MP.“
“The prevalence of racism in the Reformation UK does not exist in a vacuum and has real-world consequences for millions of British Muslims in our country,” the MPs wrote in their letter, first reported by Sky News and seen by the Press Association.
“When elected politicians (whether councilors or members of parliament) make comments that seek to spread hatred against Muslims because they are Muslims, this leads to a culture of intolerance and discrimination against Muslim party members and voters and has an impact on social cohesion across the country.”
At the end of the letter, MPs listed comments they described as Islamophobic, dating back to 2014, made by Reform UK MPs, members of the Scottish Parliament, Senedd members, councilors and some sections of the wider party.
These included Mr Farage’s call for a ban on mass religious ceremonies following a Ramadan event in London’s Trafalgar Square earlier this year.
Speaking at a Reform UK event in Scotland, the party leader described it as “an attempt to hijack, intimidate and dominate our way of life”.
Asked in March whether he supported a ban on all mass religious ceremonies, he told PA: “Yes.” The letter also referred to the Prime Minister’s Questions session in June 2025, where Reform UK MP for Runcorn and Helsby Sarah Pochin asked Sir Keir Starmer whether he would “ban the burqa”.
The EHRC and Reform UK have been contacted for comment.
According to Sky News, a Reform spokesman said: “We stand by our comments. We will not be intimidated.”
