Conservative Party urged to remove a former neo-Nazi local election candidate by former MP Luciana Berger, who faced a “deeply antisemitic and misogynistic” assault from Joshua Bonehill-Paine.
Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a convicted racist who previously targeted then-Labour MP Berger in an antisemitic attack, has now been nominated as a Conservative candidate for a local election.
Having served a prison term for racial hatred and being guilty of racially-aggravated harassment against Berger in 2016, Bonehill-Paine is set to run as a Conservative candidate in a Somerset local council election for the Crewkerne South district next year. Despite his claims of working against antisemitism and extremism, his past actions have been heavily criticized.
Bonehill-Paine, a self-proclaimed nationalist and fascist with a history of inciting racial hatred, faced multiple convictions, including a malicious communication charge in 2014 and inciting racial hatred leading to a jail term. Despite his criminal past, Bonehill-Paine insists on his reformed character and counter-extremism efforts.
Critics from other political parties have condemned the Conservative Party’s decision to endorse Bonehill-Paine as a candidate, citing concerns about his troubling history and the message it sends about the party’s values and principles.
In response to the backlash, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch defended the move, emphasizing Bonehill-Paine’s contrition for his past actions and his purported contributions to combating antisemitism and extremism within communities.
Acknowledging his checkered past, Bonehill-Paine expressed gratitude to Badenoch for the opportunity to serve and make amends, highlighting the importance of second chances and personal growth.
While the Conservative Party stands by its belief in rehabilitation and individual change, it stresses the adherence to its code of conduct and values by all members. The final decision on Bonehill-Paine’s election rests with the public.
Requests for comments regarding this matter have been directed to Somerset Conservatives and Joshua Bonehill-Paine by the Mirror.