Ex-Neo-Nazi Activist Withdraws as Tory Election Candidate Amid Backlash

Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi activist, has withdrawn his candidacy for a local council election in Somerset after facing significant backlash. Bonehill-Paine had been selected by the Conservative Party to contest the election next year.

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spend all their time focusing on my past

His past includes a jail sentence for posting antisemitic material ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally. He was also convicted a year later for racially harassing former Labour MP Luciana Berger. Despite this history, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had initially defended his selection, stating that he had been rehabilitated and that the party "believes in second chances."

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believes in second chances

However, Bonehill-Paine himself decided to withdraw, explaining that opposition parties would likely "spend all their time focusing on my past." He revealed that Badenoch had offered him a position as an adviser to the party's Culture and Integration Commission, focusing on the radicalization of young men.

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Rather than standing as a local council candidate, I believe that my experience is better used supporting Kemi Badenoch in her ongoing mission to combat the antisemitism and extremism

Bonehill-Paine has described his past views as "indefensible" and claims to have spent years opposing antisemitism since his release from prison. In a statement, he expressed his belief that his experience would be better utilized supporting Badenoch's mission to combat antisemitism and extremism, rather than standing for local office. Badenoch acknowledged his withdrawal, expressing sadness that he felt unable to explain his position and represent his community, but welcomed his new role in tackling radicalization.

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If we are going to stop extremism and antisemitism we are going to need help from those people who were part of the problem, but have now changed and are being part of the solution.