Ex-neo-Nazi withdraws as Tory candidate in local election – what we know

Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJoshua Bonehill-Paine has withdrawn his candidacy for a Conservative council election in Somerset, stating he needs to demonstrate regret for his past actions and dedicate himself to challenging antisemitism. Bonehill-Paine was previously jailed in 2016 for racially aggravated harassment of Labour peer Baroness Luciana Berger, who is Jewish, and for producing a neo-Nazi rally advert featuring Auschwitz. The Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) declined to meet Bonehill-Paine, describing him as a "former neo-Nazi with criminal convictions for antisemitic hatred," and criticised his selection by a major political party. Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader, initially defended Bonehill-Paine's selection, arguing for the possibility of rehabilitation, but clarified that her thresholds for parliamentary candidates were much higher than for local councillors. Following his withdrawal, Ms Badenoch expressed sadness but welcomed his commitment to working with her and the Conservative Party on tackling radicalisation. In fullFormer neo-Nazi activist withdraws as Tory local election candidate after backlashMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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