Labour Demands Whip Removal From Reform MP Over Racist Comments Amid Farage's Defense

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin sparked controversy after stating she was frustrated seeing adverts featuring many Black and Asian people, comments she later apologized for, describing them as "phrased poorly." Reform leader Nigel Farage condemned the remarks as "ugly" and "wrong" but resisted calls to withdraw the party whip, arguing the remarks were made in the context of opposition to what he called "DEI madness" and that he did not believe the intent was racist. Labour chairwoman Anna Turley and other opposition figures have demanded Farage clarify whether he endorses Pochin's views and urged him to remove the whip, calling her comments racist and unacceptable. Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled the remarks "shocking racism" and criticized Farage for failing to take a clear stance against them. Other prominent politicians including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also condemned Pochin's comments and Farage's silence, emphasizing the harm such statements cause to social cohesion. The Liberal Democrats have tabled a censure motion to formally rebuke Pochin and push for her suspension, highlighting cross-party condemnation of the incident.