UK Reform Party Candidates Discovered Liking Islamophobic Content Online
An investigation by the Times revealed that candidates from the UK's right-wing Reform Party have liked Islamophobic content on social media. Andrea Whitehead and Craig Birtwistle are among the candidates found to engage with such content, with the party withdrawing support for two other candidates unrelated to these actions. Anti-racism groups emphasize the danger of tolerating such behavior in political candidates.
An investigation by the Times has revealed that candidates from the right-wing Reform Party in the upcoming UK general election have liked Islamophobic content on social media.
Andrea Whitehead, a candidate in Leeds, liked a Facebook post describing London Mayor Sadiq Khan as an “undercover Jihadist not working for the English.” Craig Birtwistle, another candidate, liked a post calling for a “complete ban on Islam.” Ken Ferguson, standing in the northwest of England, liked an Islamophobic joke about Muslim men marrying 12-year-olds, citing it as appreciation of satire, according to the Times.
Other party candidates were also found sharing racist content, anti-vaccination and climate change misinformation, and defense of convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell.
In response, the Reform Party, led by honorary president Nigel Farage, is withdrawing support for two candidates not connected to the Islamophobic content, accusing the Times of “gotcha journalism.” Anti-racism group Hope Not Hate’s director Georgie Laming emphasized the importance of not allowing discriminatory content to proliferate, warning about the potential election of far-right MPs.
Previously, the Reform Party removed candidates Pete Addis and Amodio Amato for making racist remarks online.
Andrea Whitehead, a candidate in Leeds, liked a Facebook post describing London Mayor Sadiq Khan as an “undercover Jihadist not working for the English.” Craig Birtwistle, another candidate, liked a post calling for a “complete ban on Islam.” Ken Ferguson, standing in the northwest of England, liked an Islamophobic joke about Muslim men marrying 12-year-olds, citing it as appreciation of satire, according to the Times.
Other party candidates were also found sharing racist content, anti-vaccination and climate change misinformation, and defense of convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell.
In response, the Reform Party, led by honorary president Nigel Farage, is withdrawing support for two candidates not connected to the Islamophobic content, accusing the Times of “gotcha journalism.” Anti-racism group Hope Not Hate’s director Georgie Laming emphasized the importance of not allowing discriminatory content to proliferate, warning about the potential election of far-right MPs.
Previously, the Reform Party removed candidates Pete Addis and Amodio Amato for making racist remarks online.
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