‘Resign now’ calls from political leaders after Solihull Reform filming sting
By Sam Greenway - Local Democracy Reporter 15th Oct 2026
There has been growing pressure from key local political figures for the Solihull councillors caught in an undercover investigation to resign.
An ITV documentary Undercover: A Year in Reform filmed councillors Alan Feeney and Jamie Campbell.
Cllr Feeney was shown saying racist comments including that his Castle Bromwich ward had been "infested" with Asians, labelling them "absolute parasites," while on the election trail earlier this year.
And during a conversion on speculation a mosque may be built in the ward Cllr Campbell said: "There's got to be a way of stopping that, like go and buy some pork chops.
"We'll bury it in the ground."
Chris Whelan, who was also caught on the recording, quit as a councillor earlier today (October 15) after he was shown making racist remarks and misogynistic comments about a fellow Reform candidate.
Cllr Alan Feeney and Mr Whelan had quit Reform UK prior to information about the documentary being released. Cllr Campbell remains a Reform UK councillor.
The local leaders, who commented before Mr Whelan quit, have included MPs and councillors.
Saqib Bhatti, MP for Meriden and Solihull East said: "There is no place for these types of comments or views in public life and certainly not in Solihull.
"Voters in Castle Bromwich, and across all of Solihull, deserve better."
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP for Solihull West and Shirley said: "The conduct we have seen is disgraceful.
"Residents in Solihull deserve proper representation. It must follow that the three individuals involved should step down immediately."
Liam Byrne, Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North MP said: "The extremist, racist views of these councillors quite simply can have absolutely no place in our public life.
"Our communities deserve representatives who serve their neighbours, not people who spread hatred against them."
West Midlands mayor Richard Parker said: "These comments are racist, misogynistic and utterly abhorrent.
"They do not represent the values of the West Midlands or the people they were elected to serve."
Solihull Conservatives, which run the council as a minority administration, shared letters sent to the Reform UK leader Samantha Gethen and to Solihull Council's monitoring officer.
In a statement they said: "Solihull Borough Conservatives are shocked and appalled by the behaviour.
"Reform UK had been made aware of these comments, yet failed to take decisive action.
"The people of Solihull deserve representatives who uphold the highest standards of decency, integrity and respect."
Councillor Ade Adeyemo, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Solihull Council, said the councillors should "do the honourable thing".
"Our residents, including the Muslim, Asian and Black communities these councillors have demeaned, deserve representatives who respect them."
A joint statement from the leader of Green group Max McLoughlin and deputy leader Councillor Shahin Ashraf said: "We are disgusted by the comments made by the councillors.
"To Solihull's Asian and Muslim residents and to every woman – this is your borough, you belong here, and these views do not speak for Solihull.
"Anyone who holds these views about residents cannot represent Solihull."
Hazel Dawkins, a former Labour Solihull councillor said she was "sickened".
"Alan Feeney, Chris Whelan, Jamie Campbell and Samantha Gethen: the public deserves answers," she said.
"If those in public office cannot uphold the standards expected of them they must seriously consider whether they should remain in their positions."
A spokesperson for Birmingham Against Racism and Hate Crime said: "Their offensive, divisive, hurtful and hateful language, expresses a contempt for the decent majority of British people who believe in equality and respect for all people, regardless of race or gender, or indeed sexuality, ability or economic standing.
"It is beyond the pale."
The two councillors and Mr Whelan are yet to respond to requests for comment from the LDRS. Cllr Gethen was also contacted for comment.
A Reform UK group spokesperson said: "Reform UK Solihull strongly condemns the misogynistic and offensive comments made by councillors Feeney and Whelan, who are both no longer Reform UK councillors.
"Cllr Campbell's comment was a joke in poor taste but with no malicious intent.
"It's something that he deeply regrets, and the party will not be taking any further action."
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