The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has written to Reform UK to raise concerns and request information on what steps the party is taking to meet its obligations under the Equality Act.
The letter follows ITV's undercover programme 'Undercover: A Year in Reform', broadcast in October, which contained footage of local councillors and party candidates making racist and misogynistic remarks. The programme also included an instance in which one of the party's MPs complained about what they described as ingrained sexism within the organisation.
In its correspondence the EHRC said it was seeking clarification from Reform UK about the measures it is putting in place to ensure compliance with equality law. The commission is the statutory body charged with enforcing the Equality Act and monitoring public and private sector compliance with anti-discrimination duties.
The letter underscores the regulator's role in scrutinising allegations of discriminatory conduct and asking organisations to explain how they will address such issues. The EHRC did not set out any specific enforcement action in its initial communication but asked the party to respond about the steps it is taking to tackle the concerns raised by the broadcast.
The ITV programme prompted public scrutiny of the party's internal culture after footage aired showing remarks by several individuals associated with Reform UK. The EHRC letter represents a formal request for information aimed at establishing whether the party's practices and policies are consistent with statutory equality requirements.