Reform UK is fielding local election candidates who have "posted hate, pushed far-right conspiracies and praised extremists" - despite Nigel Farage's claim to have beefed up the party's vetting process, campaign group Hope Not Hate has said. Reform UK, which has recruited more than 1,600 candidates for 1 May's English council elections, has made much of its efforts to "professionalise" the party after a series of racism scandals at last year's general election. Speaking at a campaign event in Dover on Thursday, Farage said the party had put in place "a vetting system that was as good if not better than the other parties" for this year's elections. The Reform UK leader said "hundreds of people who applied to be candidates for the county council elections were rejected... often because of repeated use of words beginning with F and C on social media." He said others had been rejected "because they just said things that were just ridiculous, outrageous, embarrassing". But Hope Not Hate, an anti-racism campaign group which has clashed with Farage in the past, said the examples it had found undermined his vetting claims. On Thursday last week, the group published details of social media posts it had found from 14 different current Reform UK candidates. The BBC has spent the past seven days checking the posts and seeking a response from individual candidates, as well as the party's head office. We sent several requests for comment to Reform UK HQ but have yet to receive anything back. The posts seen by the BBC include: Some of the posts, on Facebook or X, were made this year, others date back up to a decade. They appear to have been open to anyone to view when Reform UK selected and vetted the candidates but some have now been hidden or deleted. Steven Biggs is a Reform UK candidate hoping to win a seat in Pelton in North Durham on 1 May. On the Reform UK website he says he is "standing for Reform UK because they stand for good old fashioned traditional values". In August 2015, he posted on his Facebook page that "Islam has no place on this earth. One big nuke bomb needed". The BBC confirmed that post was still visible last week, but by this week it appeared to have been deleted. Biggs has also repeatedly posted links to Britain First, the anti-Islam political party, on his Facebook account. The BBC attempted to contact Biggs for comment by phone but he did not reply. Another of the Reform UK candidates highlighted by Hope Not Hate is Isaiah-John Smith Reasbeck, standing in Hexthorpe and Balby North in Doncaster. On 6 August last year, Reasbeck wrote on X "Bradford has one of the biggest Muslim populations in Europe it's also one of the biggest shitholes in Europe draw your own conclusions". When the BBC checked the account of the user @ij_Reasbeck the post was visible last week. It has since been deleted. The account, however, remains active and identifies Mr Reasbeck as a Reform UK council candidate. The BBC contacted Reform UK's Doncaster branch seeking comment from Reasbeck. None has been received. Other posts the BBC has been able to confirm were made by Howard Rimmer, who is also standing for Reform UK in Doncaster, hoping to win in Roman Ridge. On 16 January this year, Rimmer reposted to his Facebook page an item from the "Traditional Britain Group – Lifeboat" which describes itself as "a home to the disillusioned patriot". The group's post said: "We are importing low IQ people and when they commit heinous crimes they are given more lenient sentences by the Judges as they are 'Low IQ and don't understand our way of life'". It also referenced "the Great Replacement", a conspiracy theory that elites are seeking to replace the populations of western nations with immigrants. That post was still visible this week, along with other items Rimmer has reposted, including a graphic titled "How Islam is colonising non-Muslim countries", something, the graphic said, was "known as Demographic Jihad" Several times in the past year, Rimmer reposted items about far right activist Tommy Robinson, including one describing him as someone "vocal about the importance of celebrating British identity, culture and values" and another saying "Batley needs these people". The BBC has contacted the chair of Reform's Doncaster branch by email and phone several times but has yet to receive a response. Another candidate whose posts the BBC has seen is Trevor Bridgwood, standing in Bardney and Cherry Willingham in Lincolnshire. Bridgwood, who has past links to the Conservatives and UKIP, shared an article on his Facebook page in 2015 titled "The Goal of Muslim Immigration" which said it was "a means of supplanting the native population" of a country. He added his own comment "now does this not look like what is happening in the news?". The BBC emailed Bridgwood for a response last week but has not received a reply. Hope Not Hate, which is funded by individual donations and trade unions, says it is a nonpartisan campaign that "focuses on the organised far right," something Farage has repeatedly insisted does not include Reform UK. Reform UK is chaired by a Muslim, Zia Yusuf, and Farage has said he "never wants anything to do with" Tommy Robinson, rejecting calls from some members to allow him to join Reform. In 2024, Reform UK dropped a number of candidates it had selected for the general election over offensive comments on social media. Following that,Farage told the BBC"I had no idea how bad it was. I had no idea that half of these people simply haven't been vetted - that's got to change." At a party press conference in February, Yusuf said the new system "while it will not be perfect" was "the most thorough vetting process of any party, I think I can say that with confidence and conviction, certainly at the council level." In recent weeks comments by other Reform UK candidates, aside from those identified by Hope Not Hate, have also come to light. Earlier this month,Reform UK stood by a council candidatein Leicestershire over a racist post accusing black drivers of tailgating. Responding to the resurfacing of that post Elliott Allman, a Reform candidate for Leicestershire County Council, claimed he had "matured" since the post. And, separately, East Hunsbury Parish Council haswarned Reform candidate Ron Firmanafter old tweets with racist and sexist slurs came to light.
Reform UK criticised for candidates' offensive posts
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Reform UK Under Fire for Candidates' Offensive Social Media Posts"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Reform UK is facing criticism from the anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate for fielding local election candidates who have made offensive social media posts, despite party leader Nigel Farage's assurances of an improved vetting process. The party, which is contesting the English council elections on May 1 with over 1,600 candidates, has claimed to have taken significant steps to professionalize its candidate selection following previous racism scandals. Farage stated that many applicants have been rejected due to inappropriate language and outrageous statements on social media. However, Hope Not Hate has presented evidence of troubling posts from several current candidates, undermining Farage's claims about the effectiveness of the vetting system. The BBC has investigated these allegations, confirming the existence of problematic social media posts from candidates across various regions, some of which have since been deleted or hidden.
Among the candidates highlighted by Hope Not Hate, Steven Biggs, who is running in North Durham, previously posted that "Islam has no place on this earth" and suggested a nuclear solution. Isaiah-John Smith Reasbeck, a candidate in Doncaster, made derogatory comments about Bradford's Muslim population, which have also been deleted. Other candidates, such as Howard Rimmer and Trevor Bridgwood, have shared posts promoting conspiracy theories and anti-immigrant sentiments, further raising concerns about the party's vetting process. Reform UK has yet to respond to the BBC's requests for comments from these candidates or the party's leadership. Despite claims from Farage and party chair Zia Yusuf that their vetting process is among the most thorough, the resurfacing of these offensive posts has raised questions about the integrity of their candidate selection and the party's commitment to addressing far-right ideologies within its ranks.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides a critical overview of Reform UK's candidate vetting process in light of allegations that some candidates have made offensive social media posts. This discussion highlights the ongoing tension between political parties and the scrutiny they face regarding their members' conduct.
Political Accountability and Scrutiny
Reform UK has been attempting to distance itself from previous controversies related to racism and extremism by asserting that it has implemented a robust vetting process for its candidates. However, the campaign group Hope Not Hate has called this into question by presenting evidence of inappropriate social media posts made by current candidates. The stark contrast between Farage's claims about the vetting process and the evidence presented by Hope Not Hate creates a narrative of accountability that challenges Reform UK's credibility.
Public Perception and Trust
The article aims to instill a sense of skepticism among voters regarding Reform UK's claims of professionalism and integrity. By highlighting the discrepancies in the party's vetting process, the report seeks to shape public perception, potentially swaying undecided voters against the party. This approach also serves to reinforce the idea that extremist views may still be prevalent within political movements that attempt to present a more moderate image.
Underlying Issues and Distractions
While the article focuses on Reform UK's vetting process, it raises questions about broader societal issues, such as the rise of far-right ideologies and the challenges of combating hate speech in political discourse. This focus may divert attention from other pressing political issues or controversies that Reform UK, or its opponents, may be facing.
Impact on Society and Politics
The revelations could have significant implications for Reform UK's electoral prospects, particularly as they prepare for the upcoming local elections. If voters perceive the party as lacking integrity, it could hinder their ability to gain support. The ongoing scrutiny may also influence the political discourse by encouraging other parties to emphasize their own vetting processes and candidate integrity.
Support Base and Target Audience
Reform UK is likely targeting a demographic that values traditional values and is disillusioned with mainstream political parties. However, the evidence of offensive posts could alienate moderate voters and those concerned about extremism, complicating the party's efforts to broaden its appeal.
Market and Economic Implications
In terms of market impact, this type of political controversy can create volatility in sectors associated with political lobbying, public relations, and media. Investors might be cautious about companies linked with Reform UK, particularly if the party's reputation continues to decline.
Global Context and Relevance
The article is relevant in the context of rising nationalism and far-right movements across Europe and the United States. Such discussions are increasingly pertinent in modern political landscapes, where the intersection of social media and politics plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion.
Use of AI in Reporting
While it is difficult to ascertain the specific tools used in crafting this article, AI could have been employed in analyzing social media content or gathering data on candidate backgrounds. The tone and framing of the article suggest a deliberate effort to highlight accountability, which could align with AI-assisted editorial choices.
The article appears to be credible, as it references a reputable campaign group (Hope Not Hate) and includes specific instances of social media posts. However, the degree of manipulation in the narrative is present, as it aims to cast doubt on Reform UK's integrity while potentially oversimplifying the complexities of political vetting processes.