Political leaders across Solihull are intensifying pressure on two councillors to resign after an undercover investigation by ITV exposed racist and misogynistic comments. The documentary, Undercover: A Year in Reform, filmed councillors Alan Feeney and Jamie Campbell making offensive remarks, prompting widespread condemnation from MPs, the West Midlands mayor, and local party groups.
Coun Feeney, who represents Castle Bromwich ward, was shown using racist language, describing his ward as “infested” with Asians and labelling them “absolute parasites” while on the election trail earlier this year. In a separate conversation, Coun Campbell speculated about a mosque being built in the ward and 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 also appeared in the recording, resigned as a councillor earlier today (October 15) after being shown making racist remarks and misogynistic comments about a fellow Reform candidate. Both Coun Feeney and Mr Whelan had already quit Reform UK before the documentary was released, but Coun Campbell remains a Reform UK councillor.
MPs demand immediate resignations
MPs representing Solihull constituencies have spoken out, with some calling for all three individuals to step down immediately. 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, MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North, added: “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.”
Local party groups react
Solihull Conservatives, which run the council as a minority administration, shared letters sent to Reform UK leader Samantha Gethen and 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, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Solihull Council, said the councillors should “do the honourable thing”. He added: “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 the 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.”
Further condemnation and response
Hazel Dawkins, a former Labour Solihull councillor, said she was “sickened”. She said: “Alan Feeney, Chris Whelan, Jamie Campbell and Samantha Gethen: the public deserves answers. 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 have yet to respond to requests for comment from the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Coun 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. Coun 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.”
