A Reform UK conference attendee gave an enthusiastic defence of free speech moments before an undercover reporter was stopped from asking questions and told to continue outside.
The painfully well-timed exchange came after journalist and filmmaker Chris Atkins entered Reform’s conference in Birmingham posing as a reporter for a fictional right-wing channel called Patriot News.
Atkins was filming for Byline Times, which said he was eventually thrown out after asking difficult questions about the funding controversy surrounding Nigel Farage’s party.
His disguise appeared to work. Wearing a suit and presenting himself as a sympathetic reporter, Atkins persuaded several attendees to discuss the undercover Channel 4 investigation that had dominated the opening of Reform’s conference.
The results probably did not provide the defence party officials were hoping for.
‘It’s like entrapment with facts’
Atkins began by asking attendees about the Channel 4 News investigation into Reform officials James Orr and Dan Jukes.
The pair were secretly recorded during conversations with reporters posing as representatives of a wealthy American businessman interested in supporting the party.
One conference attendee dismissed the investigation as a “sting hit job”, while another suggested the footage had been edited.
When a man described the investigation as entrapment, Atkins offered his own helpful summary.
“It’s like Channel 4 just entrapping people by secretly filming the things they actually said.”
The attendee agreed.
Atkins then added:
“It’s like entrapment with facts.”
Once again, there was little disagreement.
Reform has strongly denied wrongdoing over the investigation. Farage said the party had broken no laws and accused Channel 4 News and Verbatim, the investigative group that carried out the undercover work, of conducting a politically motivated sting.
Orr and Jukes stepped away from their roles while Reform launched an internal investigation.
Questions about crime produce fewer answers
Atkins also asked attendees about two of Reform’s biggest political themes, immigration and crime.
One person said they were concerned about small boat crossings increasing, while another referred to “larger boats” and “increased numbers on the boats”.
A woman then told Atkins she believed crime was “going up and up”.
When he asked which crimes in particular, she replied: “Robbery, murder.”
The answers offered plenty of concern but very little detail. That became part of the joke running through the video, with Atkins allowing supporters to explain their views without directly challenging them.
The mood changed when security approached.
A member of staff asked Atkins which organisation he represented. After confirming that he was from Patriot News, staff removed his accreditation and denied him further access to the venue.
Atkins responded with a reference to the polling allegations:
“What happened was my dad paid for some bent polling to go to the Daily Telegraph.”
He then attempted to question Farage as the Reform leader passed through the conference.
“Nigel, what do you say? How much cash have you made today? Who’s funding you?”
He did not receive an answer.
Reform’s free speech argument meets an awkward ending
The sharpest moment arrived shortly afterwards as Atkins spoke to more attendees about Reform’s commitment to free speech.
One man described those criticising the party as “absolute scumbag far left” figures who had attacked freedom of expression.
Another supporter said Reform was “the party of free speech”.
Atkins asked why free speech mattered.
The attendee replied:
“Free speech is important for our democracy. If you hear things that are going to upset you, it’s all a part of it.”
Atkins pressed the point, asking whether free speech sometimes meant hearing things that were difficult or awkward.
The supporter agreed, saying those comments might not always be “very palatable” to people.
Seconds later, somebody intervened and told Atkins to stop.
As he was directed away from the conference floor, Atkins asked:
“Can we do our free speech outside, not inside?”
The timing made the clip. Reform’s commitment to hearing uncomfortable views had lasted until somebody began directing uncomfortable questions towards Reform.
Other journalists were already barred
Atkins’ removal followed a separate dispute over Reform’s treatment of journalists covering the conference.
The party refused accreditation to Guardian journalist Anna Isaac, investigative reporter Peter Geoghegan and broadcaster Michael Crick. All three had previously produced critical reporting about Farage or Reform.
Their passes were briefly reinstated before Reform said that had been an administrative mistake and confirmed they were still excluded.
A party spokesperson said Reform had accepted 950 of approximately 1,000 media applications. The spokesperson described Crick and Geoghegan as “minor figures” who did not qualify for passes, but did not explain why Isaac had been refused.
Isaac was the journalist who revealed the previously undisclosed £5 million personal gift Farage received from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.
The National Union of Journalists described the exclusions as concerning and said political parties should allow journalists to ask difficult questions.
Reform has argued that it regularly takes questions from the press and that a large number of journalists were allowed to attend its conference.
Jordon Scott is a digital media specialist and editor at The Daily Britain. He focuses on political coverage, platform strategy, and ensuring journalism remains accessible without compromising editorial standards.
He oversees publication structure, reach, and transparency across the site.
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