Reform UK councillor suspended from Birmingham prison job after ‘despicable’ comment

In a statement, responding to the issues raised in the ITV documentary, Solihull Borough Council said: “There is no place for this disgusting racist discriminatory and misogynistic language in public life, and these comments do not represent the values of Solihull Council or its residents.

“We have received a resignation from Mr Whelan and will be investigating the complaints made against councillors Feeney and Campbell.”

Meanwhile, Birmingham City Council said it had received a complaint about the behaviour, which it said would be investigated.

It added, however, that the code of conduct only applied when a councillor was acting in their official capacity.

Council leader Roger Harmer (Lib Dem) called for Feeney to resign, saying his views were “totally abhorrent”.

A spokesperson for Reform Solihull said they strongly condemned “the misogynistic and offensive comments made” by councillors Feeney and Whelan, who they said were both no longer Reform councillors.

“Councillor Feeney was briefly with Reform, but spent the majority of his time as a Conservative councillor, first elected for the Tories over a decade ago,” they added.

“Neither councillor reflects the views of the group.”

The party added councillor Campbell’s comment “was a joke in poor taste, but with no malicious intent”.

“It’s something that he deeply regrets, and the party will not be taking any further action,” it added.

ITV has reported that on Monday evening Feeney had “mutually agreed” to resign from Reform, citing “personal reasons” and would be continuing as an independent councillor.

The BBC has approached Wheelan and Campbell, as well as Feeney, for a response.