Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice, has sparked controversy by refusing to condemn a party mayoral candidate who told Justice Secretary David Lammy he should "go home to the Caribbean".
Tice Deflects Questions on Racist Remark
During a press conference on Monday, Tice was repeatedly questioned about comments made by Chris Parry, a retired naval rear admiral selected as Reform's candidate for the postponed Hampshire and the Solent mayoral election. In a February post on X, Parry reacted to a news story about potential slavery reparations talks by writing: "Lammy must go home to the Caribbean where his loyalty lies."
When first asked if Parry's post was acceptable, Tice claimed he was "not familiar with what was said" and framed criticism of Lammy as routine political debate. "David Lammy is a cabinet minister. Whether we think he's doing a good or bad job is just part of politics," Tice stated.
After a journalist read the post aloud and asked if it was acceptable to tell a Black Briton to "go home", Tice attempted to change the subject to special educational needs, the conference's official topic, saying: "On Chris Parry, I've given an answer."
Candidate Stands By Comments, Labour Condemns Racism
In a separate interview with Talk TV on Monday, Chris Parry indicated he stood by his February post. He urged people to view the comment in context on X, arguing that a former foreign secretary's "primary loyalty must be to this country." When asked if he believed Lammy was loyal to the UK, Parry replied, "Ask him."
David Lammy was born in north London to parents from Guyana. The government has rejected calls for slavery reparations talks.
Responding to the incident, Labour chair Anna Turley wrote to Reform leader Nigel Farage on Tuesday. She stated that questioning a politician's loyalties based on ethnicity is racist and that such sentiments "should have no place in our politics, and no place in your party."
Farage School Allegations Dismissed as 'Old News'
Tice also faced questions about allegations from 28 former pupils of Dulwich College, who accused Nigel Farage of using antisemitic and other racist language while at school. Earlier this month, Tice called the claims "made-up twaddle." When asked if he still held that view, he dismissed the story as "old news" and said the party was "moving on."
Danny Kruger, the former Conservative MP who defected to Reform, also declined to condemn Parry's remarks, saying he was "not aware of the details of that allegation."
The repeated refusal by senior Reform UK figures to disavow explicitly racist comments places the party under renewed scrutiny regarding its tolerance of discriminatory language within its ranks.
