Political parties in Bromley have called on a Reform UK councillor to resign after he was filmed allegedly calling for King Charles's beheading because he had heard the monarch was secretly a Muslim.
The now Independent Councillor Dean Miller resigned from Reform UK after an ITV News investigation recorded his comments while he was campaigning for the party in Makerfield ahead of the by-election won by Andy Burnham in the summer. He was elected to Bromley Council as a Reform UK councillor for St Paul's Cray in May.
Alleged racist and anti-Muslim remarks recorded
In one recording from the ITV News investigation, which featured multiple Reform councillors, activists and party members, Cllr Miller claimed: "We've been ethnically cleansed out of London."
"Because you never used to get any blacks over in Bromley, and now Bromley [has] massive Nigerian communities there," he said. He also claimed local black children were committing vandalism in Bromley.
He said: "Like all the ethnic f****** kids, they're not white, they're all f****** black, and they're like f****** animals. It's horrible to say it. I'm not racist."
He also shared fears that Islam was "going to be that thing that takes over everything" and claimed King Charles himself was a Muslim, something he called "f****** traitorous" before appearing to call for the monarch's beheading. He was recorded saying: "Apparently King Charles is a f****** Muslim. Someone from the inside saw a f****** prayer mat and all that in one of his f****** rooms. I think that's f****** traitorous. Cut the c**t's head off, sorry."
Parties unite in condemnation
Cllr Miller told ITV that he was heavily medicated at the time he made the comments due to a chronic pain condition. He has since resigned from Reform UK.
Following the ITV news piece, three of Bromley's four main political parties have called for Cllr Miller's resignation. Bromley Conservatives, who currently control the South London borough, called Cllr Miller's comments "unacceptable" and "unbecoming of someone holding public office."
The party's full statement reads: "It was deeply troubling to read about the comments made by Cllr Dean Miller. These comments are unacceptable, are unbecoming of someone holding public office, and do not represent the views of the people of Bromley. We call on Cllr Miller to step down, so the people of St Paul's Cray have the chance to elect a community champion, focused on them and their priorities - they deserve nothing less."
These sentiments were shared by the opposition Labour party, which said in a joint statement they were "disgusted" and thought his remaining in elected office was "deeply offensive and upsetting for local residents."
The Labour statement reads: "Bromley Labour councillors are disgusted by and wholeheartedly condemn the racist comments made by Reform councillors including Cllr Dean Miller who was elected as a Bromley Councillor in St Paul's Cray. We understand that any allegations referred to the council will be subject to the same process that is followed for any complaint against members. At present, having resigned from Reform, Dean Miller continues to sit as an Independent councillor. His remaining in elected office is deeply offensive and upsetting for local residents as well as members of staff at Bromley Council. We celebrate the diversity of our local community and stand in solidarity with residents and staff."
Lib Dems and Reform UK respond
Bromley Liberal Democrats said "racism has no place in Bromley." The group said in a statement: "The racist remarks reported from Reform Councillor Dean Miller are deeply upsetting and completely unacceptable. Racism of any kind has no place in our communities, or in local government. These remarks will be hurtful and distressing to many residents, particularly those from the communities targeted. Bromley is home to people from many different backgrounds, and everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome and respected in our borough."
Reform UK Bromley has yet to make a statement about Cllr Miller, who himself was approached for comment by the Local Democracy Reporting Service but did not respond.
