LONDON: Reform UK candidates in this week’s local elections have posted Islamophobic views online, The Independent reported on Wednesday.
Some of the candidates also expressed support for far-right figures including Tommy Robinson, raising concerns that leader Nigel Farage is failing to tackle extremism in his party.
Farage had previously boasted that Reform operates the best candidate vetting system in British politics.
But the apparent failure to detect extremist candidates could heighten concern amid expectations that the party will win more than 1,500 seats across England.
Lynn Smith, the Reform UK candidate for Blackfen and Lamorbey, appears to have reposted a graphic featuring a photo of a Muslim woman and the caption “hates Jews, Christians, atheists, gays, dogs, bacon, wine, beer, your civilisation, your culture, your traditions, your country and you. Complains about Islamophobia.”
She said on X: “Has the NHS become the new Islam, criticise at your own risk?”
Smith also used the platform to say: “I don’t think we should have the ‘word’ Islamaphobia (sic). Wherever I look abroad at Islamic countries as a woman I am fearful for them, and am fearful of the growth of Islam here.”
She expressed support for Robinson, saying: “I used to be against Tommy’s methods but when the MSM (mainstream media) are too cowardly to dig deep into radical Islam he’s now a hero for sure.”
Smith posted a picture of herself using a scarf as a hijab on Facebook, saying: “Thinking of becoming a Muslim just as a reason to hide my pelican neck. Then again, I couldn’t give up alcohol.”
In Chingford, Reform candidate Matt Davis appeared to have posted numerous critical messages about Islam on a now-deleted X account.
Davis, who has been pictured campaigning with Farage, appeared to refer to Islam as “an evil death cult” and “evil” in dozens of messages, as well as making other comments that The Independent said are “unpublishable.”
Louie French, Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, said the comments are “truly shocking” and called on the party to “do the right thing and disown these candidates now.”
Kevin Hollinrake, chair of the Conservative Party, said: “Reform UK claimed they had professionalized and properly vetted their candidates. These comments show that simply isn’t true.
“Instead, we’re seeing a pattern of offensive remarks, conspiracies and poor judgment. These aren’t the high standards they promised; it’s the exact opposite.”
A Reform spokesman told The Independent: “We are looking into these posts.”
