Twenty-six current Labour MPs and one former member have asked the Equality and Human Rights Commission to investigate Reform UK for alleged Islamophobia [1].
The request marks a significant escalation in political tensions over the party's rhetoric. If the watchdog finds evidence of institutional bias, it could lead to legal repercussions or a formal mandate for internal reform within the party.
In a letter addressed to the chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in London, the lawmakers demanded a formal investigation into Reform UK [2]. The group of 27 signatories includes 26 current Labour MPs and one former Labour MP [1].
The MPs said that Reform UK has demonstrated a pattern of anti-Muslim statements and policies [2]. They said that these actions constitute institutional Islamophobia, which requires independent scrutiny to determine the extent of the bias [2].
The request was reported in May 2026 [2]. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the official body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Equality Act in the United Kingdom, giving it the authority to probe organizations for discriminatory practices.
While the Labour MPs focused on anti-Muslim bias, other reports have highlighted different concerns regarding the party. Some sources mentioned the deployment of a suspended individual to a campaign, raising separate concerns about antisemitism [3]. However, the specific request to the watchdog by the Labour group remains centered on the party's treatment of Muslims.
Reform UK has not issued a public response to the specific allegations contained in the letter. The EHRC has not yet confirmed whether a formal investigation will be launched based on the request from the lawmakers [2].
“Twenty-seven lawmakers allege institutional anti-Muslim bias within the Reform UK party.”
This move attempts to shift the debate over Reform UK's platform from a matter of political disagreement to a matter of legal compliance. By involving the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Labour MPs are seeking an objective, third-party determination of whether the party's rhetoric violates UK equality laws, which could potentially limit the party's operational capacity or public standing.
