Reform reports Labour to police over alleged misleading by election video

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 17:34

By Adam Clark

Credit: David Murphy / Roch Valley Radio

Reform UK has reported the Labour Party to Greater Manchester Police, claiming a social media video breached election law by presenting its candidate in a misleading way.

Matt Goodwin, Reform UK’s candidate for the Gorton and Denton seat, says a short video clip shared by Labour misrepresented comments he made during a speech, and amounted to a false statement about his character.

The complaint centres on a video originally posted by Labour on X. In the clip, Mr Goodwin is seen referring to being in Manchester a few days earlier and compares the atmosphere there unfavourably with another event. Labour’s caption suggested it reflected Mr Goodwin’s view of the constituency he hopes to represent.

In his own words… pic.twitter.com/WltOjFfF12
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) January 27, 2026

Mr Goodwin argues the video was edited to remove context. He says his remarks were aimed at the Conservative Party conference, which had recently taken place in Manchester, rather than the city or local residents. Reform UK claims the omission created a misleading impression intended to damage his candidacy.

The party has asked Greater Manchester Police to investigate whether the post breached Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

That section makes it an offence to publish false statements of fact about a candidate’s personal character or conduct if done to influence the outcome of an election.

Reform UK says the video had been viewed more than 1.2 million times by the time the complaint was lodged.

A spokesperson said: “The editing deliberately omits this reference, creating a misleading narrative that plainly is intended to influence how voters view Mr Goodwin’s character and candidacy.”

Speaking on the campaign trail, Mr Goodwin accused Labour of repeatedly misleading voters. He said the party had distorted his words and accused it of deliberately spreading misinformation during the by-election campaign.

An announcement. pic.twitter.com/7GjJUL6MIs
— Matt Goodwin (@GoodwinMJ) January 28, 2026

Mr Goodwin was confirmed as Reform UK’s candidate earlier this week following the resignation of Labour MP Andrew Gwynne.

The contest has attracted national attention, with polling suggesting Labour faces a strong challenge from Reform UK and the Green Party.

Labour has rejected the complaint. A party spokesperson said: “Nigel Farage has repeatedly bemoaned the ‘policing of tweets’, yet he is now begging the authorities to look at a clip of his divisive candidate’s own words. It is as laughable as it is sad.

“Matt Goodwin and Reform have long had a disdain for Manchester and the North. The ones being misleading here are the Greens pretending they have any chance of winning in Gorton and Denton.

“Only Labour can take on Goodwin and Farage's toxic politics and reject their shameless, divisive rhetoric that is not what our city stands for."

Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.