Hounslow Reform Councillor Filmed Making 'Slave' Remark

Hounslow Reform councillor Conrad Brown has stated that a remark he made about wanting slaves was a flippant comment intended to emulate a comedy sketch. The Hanworth Village representative was secretly filmed by an ITV investigation, which aired on Sunday, October 18. During the filming, Cllr Brown said, "I did once say that it’d be quite fun to have some slaves which doesn’t go down that well, I mean it would be. I think slavery is wrong but if I was allowed slaves I’d totally have some slaves."

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Cllr Brown asserted that the undercover reporter acted as an agent provocateur and that the footage was intended to entrap him. He stated that the only footage of him captured after many hours of filming was this flippant comment. He added, "For the avoidance of doubt, I do not condone slavery which I make clear in the recording and which any honest viewer of the footage would conclude."

Other Councillors Featured in Investigation

Cllr Brown is one of three Hounslow Reform councillors featured in the ITV investigation. Cllr Adam Parkins, who represents Feltham North, was filmed suggesting that Reform candidates should not announce what they would really do if elected, but rather "just do it, just make the changes in the background." He also allegedly asked the undercover reporter if there was a "Pakistani problem" in his area and suggested "Sunday morning rose garden executions" for grooming gang perpetrators.

Cllr Parkins told the LDRS that his comments about executions referred strictly to those who participated in child rape gangs and that it was false to link it to a general 'Pakistani problem'. He stated that advocating the death penalty for such individuals is a legitimate opinion. He also clarified that the 'Pakistani problem' phrase was a question asked in response to the reporter.

Feltham North representative Cllr David Kerr was also filmed. He suggested that Reform UK would be more hard-line once in power and that the party aims not to alienate voters before an election. He said, "We’re not f****** stupid enough to p*** off the entire like woke south, or centrist south of the country. You need to seem palatable to everyone, to get them, to get the majority."

Reactions to the Investigation

Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Shantanu Rajawat (Labour), stated that the mask had slipped and the investigation showed the real face of Reform UK, adding that there is no place for bigotry, racism, or misogyny in politics. Guy Lambert, Leader of the Hounslow Greens, expressed no surprise, calling the claims "nonsense" and stating that Reform UK is "clearly racist" and focused on winning power to carry out a "hideously true policy of hatred."

Cllr Kerr has not responded to requests for comment. The LDRS reported that Cllr Brown made clear in the recording that he believes slavery is wrong.