An ITV undercover investigation has examined links between Reform UK figures and the Portsmouth Patriots, an anti-immigration group whose demonstrations have attracted people expressing racist and Nazi-sympathising views.
ITV Exposure said its reporters filmed attendees at a protest linked to the group chanting racist threats, including calls to “burn them out of every hotel”. Another man attending the event told an undercover reporter that he owned an SS ring and praised a speech by Adolf Hitler.
ITV also reported that a Nazi salute had been filmed at one Portsmouth Patriots rally. The broadcaster did not say those individuals were acting on behalf of Reform UK or that the Portsmouth Patriots themselves had instructed them to behave in that way.
Reform council leader found in private group
The investigation found George Madgwick, Reform UK’s leader on Hampshire County Council and a senior party campaign manager, among members of the Portsmouth Patriots’ private Facebook group.
Madgwick told ITV that organisers linked to the Portsmouth Patriots had helped leaflet for Reform during the May 2026 local elections.
He also told the undercover reporter that he had previously supported the group, while saying he had never formally been part of it.
Madgwick told ITV he had never sought to hide his previous support for the Portsmouth Patriots and said he supports lawful protest while consistently condemning violence and extremist behaviour.
He also said he had later been blocked from the group’s Facebook page after criticising a post. The Portsmouth Patriots declined to comment to ITV.
Reform says there is ‘no room for racism’
Reform UK told ITV that not everyone secretly recorded during the year-long investigation was a member of the party.
The party said investigations had been opened where members, activists or councillors had behaved inappropriately, with suspensions imposed in some cases.
Reform said it had strengthened its vetting procedures and added: “There is no room for racism in Reform UK.”
The findings form part of ITV Exposure’s Undercover: A Year in Reform, which is due to air on ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday, October 18.
