An investigation by a media outlet has revealed that some candidates affiliated with the Reform party appear on a leaked list associated with the British National Party.
Despite Nigel Farage’s public condemnation of the BNP’s agenda and his assertion of barring former BNP members from joining his party, it has been discovered that three local election candidates for Reform were previously linked to the BNP during Nick Griffin’s leadership.
Upon being contacted by the media outlet, Reform stated that these candidates were expelled for not disclosing their past BNP affiliations. The individuals in question include a technology worker boasting about leading international teams and a roofing company owner photographed dressed as a sheikh with monopoly money.
This revelation adds to Reform’s existing challenges, particularly after reports emerged last year about the party implementing less strict vetting procedures. A collaborative investigation with an anti-fascist organization cross-referenced names on a leaked BNP membership list from 2008.
According to Joe Mulhall, the director of research at the anti-fascist group, Reform’s recent association with individuals tied to the far-right BNP contradicts Farage’s stance on excluding former BNP activists from his party.
Meanwhile, prominent figures like Griffin, the former BNP leader, have faced legal issues related to incitement of racial hatred, showcasing the ongoing controversies surrounding far-right groups.
Despite Farage’s claims of keeping former BNP members out of his party, evidence suggests that ex-BNP supporters have managed to infiltrate Reform’s ranks. The leaked BNP list from 2008 included names of individuals expressing interest in joining the party.
One candidate identified from the leaked list, George Parnell, denied supporting the BNP despite his name being listed. However, his statements regarding previous interactions with the BNP were contradictory.
Another candidate, John Black, standing for Reform in Blackburn, Lancashire, denied being a BNP member despite his details appearing on the leaked list.
David Prior, a candidate in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, acknowledged his past association with the BNP, attributing it to a mistake made years ago and distancing himself from the group upon realizing its true nature.
The Reform party faced criticism for its vetting process following the identification of candidates with controversial backgrounds. Recent reports have exposed additional instances of Reform candidates with extremist views, raising concerns about the party’s candidate selection.
In response to the situation, a spokesperson for Reform UK confirmed the expulsion of Parnell, Prior, and Black for failing to disclose their prior memberships with a party banned by Reform.
