LONDON, June 28, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on
Friday denounced the use of a racist slur against him by a now-suspended
member of the anti-immigration Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage.

Sunak said he was hurt and "angry" after broadcaster Channel 4 filmed a
Reform canvasser using a racist slur to describe him, adding that Farage had
"some questions to answer".

"My two daughters have to see and hear Reform people who campaign for Nigel
Farage calling me an effing p***," said Sunak, the UK's first prime minister
of colour.

"It hurts and it makes me angry, and I think he has some questions to
answer," he added of the Reform leader.

Sunak said he had deliberately repeated the slur word used "because this is
too important not to call out clearly for what it is".

Farage, a hard-right populist who is standing to become an MP after seven
previous failed attempts, has seen his campaign increasingly embroiled in
controversy.

A string of Reform candidates have been ditched or suspended in recent weeks
over allegations of offensive comments.

In the latest such scandal, an undercover investigation by Channel 4 filmed
at least two of its organisers making racist, Islamophobic and homophobic
comments last week in Clacton-on-Sea, the east England constituency where
Farage is running.

The individuals have now been dismissed, with Farage saying he was "dismayed"
by the comments of "a handful of people associated with my local campaign".

"The appalling sentiments expressed by some in these exchanges bear no
relation to my own views, those of the vast majority of our supporters or
Reform UK policy," he added.

- 'Divisive behaviour' -

One campaigner, Andrew Parker, is heard using the racist slur about Sunak,
describing Islam as "the most disgusting cult" and calling for Muslims to be
kicked "out of mosques" that should be turned into pubs.

Speaking to a constituent, Parker also called for new army recruits to carry
out "target practice" by shooting migrants trying to cross the Channel
illegally in boats.

Meanwhile George Jones, a Reform events organiser, was filmed making
homophobic remarks including describing the LGBTQ flag as "degenerate".

Sunak also denounced Farage's previous praise for Andrew Tate, who faces
charges of human trafficking and rape, among others, in Romania. Tate denies
all charges.

Hitting out at the "culture in the Reform party", Sunak said: "Andrew Tate
isn't an important voice for men. He's a vile misogynist. And our politics
and country is better than that."

Labour leader Keir Starmer, who is tipped to replace Sunak as prime minister,
said he was "shocked" by the footage and that Farage faces a "test of
leadership".

Farage was criticised earlier in the campaign for saying Sunak does not
"understand our culture", in response to the premier leaving early from D-Day
commemorations in France.

According to the anti-racism organisation Hope Not Hate, Reform UK has had to
withdraw 166 candidates since the beginning of the year, many of whom have
made racist or offensive remarks.