Nigel Farage is under pressure to disown a string of Reform UK local election candidates after newly unearthed social media posts showed some appear to hold “grotesque” racist, misogynistic and homophobic views.
Reform has been plagued by vetting issues and vowed to clean up its candidates following a series of “abhorrent” incidents, including one who stood down last month after a photo of him appearing to perform a Nazi salute resurfaced.
But The Independent has found that three of its candidates have professed extreme views on social media, with Labour demanding they are suspended even though it is now too late for them to be withdrawn as candidates.
Andrew Mahon, who is standing in Blackburn, appears to have made a number of homophobic remarks about health secretary Wes Streeting and Green Party leader Zack Polanski.
Last month, on Facebook, Mr Mahon appears to state: “I wonder if Wes Streeting likes sausage? I wonder if he eats meat?”
And a now-deleted X post in Mr Mahon’s name from last month said: “Hannah Spencer the Green MP knows all about ballc**** and I bet she knows all about her heavy-duty plumber’s snake. I wonder, is (sic) she has unblocked any flue’s in Zac Polanski’s residence or undertaken any pipe cleaning.”
In another now deleted post, Mr Mahon appears to say: “No disrespect but why can black people use the word n***** but white people cannot. Seriously, why is this the case?”
And in a Facebook post in 2024, Mr Mahon is seen saying on X that Angela Rayner “should consider weight loss jabs”.
Brett Muscroft, standing in Wakefield, Castleford Central and Glasshoughton ward, seems to have openly supported the far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
In August 2024, a Facebook post in Mr Muscroft’s name said that making Tommy Robinson secretary of state for defence would mean “we may get Great Britain back”.
And in a February 2025 post on Facebook, an image with the caption reads “Islam is like cancer. If you don’t remove it on time, it will kill you.”
Arnold Tabor, who is standing in Wakefield, South Elmsall and South Kirkby, in 2022, appears to have left a comment on a YouTube video suggesting that the Navy should shoot migrants in the English Channel.
Another comment in 2023 on a YouTube video, says migrants should be put in a “huge walled workhouse city” and be made to “work for no pay”.
Anna Turley, Labour Party Chair, has demanded Mr Farage take action.
She said: “These vile comments expose the type of candidates Reform are happy to put on the ballot paper. Despite all Nigel Farage’s claims about improving vetting in the party, he continues to stand candidates who hold grotesque views. Voters deserve better.
“Farage needs to act and kick these people out of his party for good.”
A spokesman for Reform said the party was investigating the allegations.
