UK Conservatives Defend Former Neo-Nazi as Local Election Candidate
Kemi Badenoch, the head of the UK's opposition Conservative Party, has stood by the choice of Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi with a hate crime conviction, as a candidate for a local council election in Somerset. Bonehill-Paine was found guilty in 2015 of racially aggravated harassment against Luciana Berger, a former Labour MP, and was sentenced for inciting hatred toward a Jewish community in north London. His candidacy has faced backlash from various parties and Jewish organizations. Badenoch labeled his past as "appalling," yet contended that he has renounced his former beliefs and is suitable for the local council role, which involves tasks like managing parking and waste collection. She highlighted his involvement in the anti-radicalisation initiative Prevent and expressed her commitment to combating antisemitism in Britain.
Key facts
- Joshua Bonehill-Paine was convicted in 2015 of racially aggravated harassment of Luciana Berger.
- Bonehill-Paine was imprisoned for stirring up hatred against a north London Jewish community.
- He is standing as a candidate for Somerset council in southwest England.
- Kemi Badenoch defended his selection, calling his past actions 'appalling' but saying he is rehabilitated.
- Badenoch cited his work with the Prevent anti-radicalisation programme.
- The selection drew condemnation from other parties and Jewish groups.
- Badenoch said the council role involves 'looking at parking, sorting out bins'.
Entities
Institutions
- Conservative Party
- Labour Party
- Somerset council
- BBC
- Prevent
Locations
- United Kingdom
- Somerset
- London
- Westminster City Hall