Robert Kenyon, Reform UK Candidate, Defends Past Online Remarks Before Makerfield By-Election
Robert Kenyon, the Reform UK candidate for the Makerfield by-election on Thursday 18 June, has acknowledged making “crass” comments online, following their unearthing by various media outlets and campaign groups. Mr. Kenyon, a local councillor and plumber, is one of fourteen candidates vying for the Greater Manchester constituency seat, which became vacant after former MP Josh Simons resigned to facilitate Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster.
When questioned about previous online statements on a defunct rugby league forum, where he described Brexit as an “economically damaging project” promoted by politicians who “peddled the nationalistic pish,” Mr. Kenyon maintained he had voted for Brexit and had “no recollection of saying that.”
Further scrutiny has focused on his response to a sexually graphic post concerning TV presenter Carol Vorderman. Mr. Kenyon had replied with a thumbs-up and laughing emoji, adding, “He’s only saying what we’re all thinking.” Ms. Vorderman has since demanded an apology. Mr. Kenyon clarified he “not made sexual remarks about Carol Vorderman,” but rather responded to another’s post with a “crass joke,” admitting there “might have been a few crass comments that I’ve said.”
Despite the controversy, Reform UK has publicly supported Mr. Kenyon, confirming no plans for an internal inquiry. Mr. Kenyon himself stated that such comments would not be made now, as “everything you do say is under a microscope” once one is “being paid by the public purse to represent them.” He suggested that the Labour Party’s stance on issues such as “grooming gangs and the rights of transgender people” were “a bit more dangerous than a few 10-year-old tweets.”
