Hounslow Reform councillors face scrutiny over comments

Two Reform UK councillors in Hounslow have faced scrutiny following an undercover investigation by ITV News that captured them making controversial remarks about grooming gang perpetrators and the death penalty. Adam Parkins, who represents Feltham North ward, was filmed stating that if he were prime minister, he would support "Sunday morning rose garden executions" for those involved in child grooming gangs. He was quoted as saying, "Give me a f****** pistol, and I'll walk behind them and go 'boom, boom, boom'. I would do that without f****** thinking for a second about it, and I’d go up and have my coffee."

Mr Parkins has since defended his remarks, stating that advocating the death penalty for individuals found guilty of participating in child grooming gangs is a "perfectly legitimate opinion". He clarified that his comments referred strictly to those who participated in child rape gangs and reiterated Reform UK's policy that such offenders should face the "toughest possible sentence under British law".

Further comments emerge

David Kerr, another Reform councillor for Feltham North ward, was also recorded in the ITV report. He allegedly suggested a more extreme approach to punishing grooming gang members, stating, "We just f****** line them up on the wall … line up a few thousand grooming gang perpetrators and machine gun them down." Mr Kerr has not yet responded to requests for comment. An investigation conducted by Reform UK into the comments made by both Mr Parkins and Mr Kerr reportedly concluded with no further action being taken.

The undercover report also featured Hounslow councillor Conrad Brown, representing Hanworth Village ward. Mr Brown was filmed making a comment about wanting slaves, which he claims was based on a comedy sketch by Ricky Gervais. He stated, "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." Mr Brown has since stated that the undercover filming showed he does not support slavery and that the comment was a flippant remark emulating a comedy sketch.

Resignation over monarchy claims

Separately, Bromley councillor Dean Miller has resigned from Reform UK. This decision followed comments he made in the same ITV sting, alleging that King Charles is secretly a Muslim. Mr Miller will now sit as an independent councillor on the south-east London council.