Reform councillors resign and emergency meeting called as racism row throws council into turmoil

Solihull Council has called an extraordinary meeting after all three Reform UK councillors elected to represent Castle Bromwich resigned following an undercover ITV investigation that exposed racist and offensive comments.

Alan Feeney, Chris Whelan and Jamie Campbell have all stepped down, leaving three vacant seats on the borough council and triggering by-elections in the ward.

The meeting, scheduled for Monday, October 19, will consider changes to the civic and committee positions previously held by the former councillors, including appointing a new deputy mayor.

The resignations follow footage broadcast by ITV showing remarks made by the men while campaigning ahead of the May 2026 local elections.

Council leader condemns remarks

Council leader Karen Grinsell said the footage contained deeply disturbing language and confirmed that the authority had received a number of formal complaints about the former councillors.

In a statement published on Friday, October 16, the Conservative leader said: “I know many residents will have been disgusted by what they have seen and read. I share those feelings.”

She added: “This isn’t who we are as a Council and does not represent Solihull as a borough.”

Grinsell said the council’s monitoring officer would have investigated the complaints fully had the individuals remained councillors, but all three had now resigned.

The extraordinary meeting will still go ahead to appoint replacements for the positions they held and choose a new deputy mayor for the remainder of the civic year, which ends in May 2027.

What did the ITV investigation reveal?

Feeney, who represented Castle Bromwich on Solihull Council and Shard End on Birmingham City Council, was filmed making racist comments about Asian residents. He has resigned from both authorities.

In a statement reported by ITV, Feeney described his remarks as “wrong, offensive and completely unacceptable” and offered an apology to residents, colleagues and others affected.

Whelan was filmed making racist and misogynistic remarks, including sexually explicit comments about a female Reform candidate.

Campbell was recorded discussing how to prevent a mosque from being built in Castle Bromwich, suggesting that pork chops could be buried in the ground.

The footage prompted demands for the councillors to resign. Whelan stepped down on Thursday, October 15, followed by Feeney and Campbell on Friday.

All three were elected to represent Castle Bromwich in May. Their departures mean the ward will face three by-elections. Feeney’s resignation from Birmingham City Council also leaves a separate vacancy in Shard End.

Cross-party motion to replace former councillors

The motion to be debated on Monday has been put forward by Grinsell and jointly seconded by Liberal Democrat group leader Ade Adeyemo and Green group leader Max McLoughlin.

It says the behaviour reported by ITV encouraged hatred and discrimination to such an extent that, in the motion’s view, the former councillors were not fit to represent Solihull Council in civic roles and other appointments.

The proposed changes include appointing a new deputy mayor and reconsidering committee and external board positions previously held by the three men.

Reform UK councillors on Solihull Council are not backing the motion, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The meeting will take place against the backdrop of condemnation from leaders across other political groups.

By-elections expected in Castle Bromwich

The council says by-elections will be held at the earliest possible opportunity to fill the three vacant Castle Bromwich seats.

The resignations bring an abrupt end to the three men’s time as ward councillors, just five months after they were elected in May.

The extraordinary meeting on Monday will address the immediate consequences for the council’s civic leadership and committee appointments, while the vacancies leave Castle Bromwich residents awaiting the opportunity to elect new representatives.

Solihull Council’s extraordinary meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 19. The proposed appointments and changes will be considered by councillors at that meeting; they have not yet been decided.