Reform UK Candidate Robert Kenyon Faces Sexism and Homophobia Controversy
Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, running in the Makerfield by-election against Labour’s Andy Burnham, faced backlash after historic social media posts were uncovered. The posts included sexist remarks about women, anti-abortion comments, and homophobic slurs. Reform UK dismissed the controversy as “locker room banter,” sparking criticism from Labour and campaign groups. Kenyon retained party support despite the scandal.
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Nigel Farage Defends Reform UK Candidate's Sexist Comments with 'So What'
Nigel Farage has dismissed sexist and misogynistic comments made by Reform UK's by-election candidate Robert Kenyon, saying 'so what' when asked about them. Kenyon, standing in the Makerfield by-election against Labour's Andy Burnham, made now-deleted social media posts including that women 'can't ref, drive or give instructions' and that female rugby presenters are 'only there to tick a box'. He also interacted with a crude message directed at Carol Vorderman, who has called him a misogynist and demanded an apology. Further unearthed comments show Kenyon claimed women have abortions for 'vanity purposes', said Russia was 'within its rights' to annex Crimea, and told England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty to 'fuck right off' over Covid booster advice. Farage defended Kenyon as an 'ordinary bloke' who made 'laddish' comments a decade ago, arguing they are 'taken wildly out of context' and are the kind heard in pubs across the country.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Nigel Farage Dismisses Reform UK Candidate's Sexist Comments as 'So What'
Nigel Farage has dismissed sexist and misogynistic comments made by Reform UK's by-election candidate Robert Kenyon, saying 'so what' when asked about them. Kenyon's now-deleted social media posts include statements that women 'can't ref, drive or give instructions' and that female rugby presenters are 'only there to tick a box'. He also replied to a vulgar message directed at former Countdown host Carol Vorderman, who called him a misogynist. Further unearthed comments show Kenyon claiming women have abortions for 'vanity purposes' and that Russia was 'within its rights' to annex Crimea. Farage defended Kenyon as an 'ordinary bloke' who made 'laddish' comments a decade ago, contrasting him with 'Oxford-educated career politicians'. Kenyon is standing against Labour's Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election on June 18.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Reform UK Accused of 'Dragging Politics Into Gutter' Over Fake Makerfield By-Election Poll
Reform UK has been accused of 'dragging politics into the gutter' after Scarborough councillor Sarah Mason posted a fabricated opinion poll on X (formerly Twitter) claiming Reform and Labour were tied at 44% each in the upcoming Makerfield by-election. Mason later admitted the poll was made up, saying 'I thought I’d join in with the made-up polls,' and deleted the post after online backlash. The incident comes as Reform's campaign has been dogged by revelations about candidate Robert Kenyon's social media history, including sexist, anti-vaccine, anti-abortion, and pro-Russia comments. A Labour spokesperson condemned the misinformation, stating Reform knows Kenyon 'isn't fit to be an MP' and should instead force him to apologize for his 'vile comments.' The most recent legitimate poll shows Labour's Andy Burnham leading by 10 points. The by-election is scheduled for June 18.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Reform UK Accused of 'Dragging Politics Into Gutter' Over Fake Makerfield By-Election Poll
Reform UK has been accused of 'dragging politics into the gutter' after Scarborough councillor Sarah Mason posted a fabricated opinion poll claiming Reform and Labour were tied at 44% each in the Makerfield by-election, scheduled for June 18. Mason later admitted the poll was made up, posting on X: 'I thought I’d join in with the made-up polls,' and deleted the original post after online backlash. The controversy adds to Reform's campaign difficulties, as candidate Robert Kenyon faces scrutiny over past social media posts containing sexist, anti-vaccine, anti-abortion, and pro-Russia comments, including lewd remarks about presenter Carol Vorderman. A Labour spokesperson condemned Reform's tactics, stating the party is 'stooping to new lows online' and should instead force Kenyon to apologize for his comments. The most recent legitimate poll shows Labour's Andy Burnham leading Reform by 10 points.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Reform UK By-Election Candidate Robert Kenyon Confronted Over Sexist Comments on BBC Question Time
During a special BBC Question Time broadcast from Makerfield, Greater Manchester, an audience member publicly criticized Reform UK by-election candidate Robert Kenyon for past sexist social media posts. Kenyon, a plumber running against Labour's Andy Burnham, had previously written on a rugby forum that women cannot 'ref, drive or give directions,' called female rugby presenters 'box-tickers,' and made derogatory comments about abortion. He also interacted with a vulgar message directed at Carol Vorderman. The audience member stated she would 'rather have a career politician than a plumber who's a sexist,' drawing loud applause. Kenyon refused the 'sexist' label, apologized for mistakes made 15 years ago, and claimed he was raised by women and respects them. The incident highlights the contentious by-election campaign.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Question Time Audience Member Confronts Reform UK Candidate Over Sexist Comments
During a special BBC Question Time broadcast from the Makerfield by-election constituency, an audience member publicly criticized Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon, stating she would 'rather have a career politician than a plumber who's a sexist.' Kenyon, a plumber, has faced backlash for historical social media posts where he claimed women cannot 'ref, drive or give directions,' suggested female rugby presenters are only there to 'tick a box,' and made derogatory comments about abortion and a lewd remark about Carol Vorderman. Kenyon refused to accept the 'sexist' label, insisting the comments were made 15 years ago and that he was raised by women and has 'nothing but respect for women.' He is running against Labour's Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester. The audience member's comment received loud applause.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Question Time Audience Member Confronts Reform UK Candidate Over Sexist Comments
During a special BBC Question Time broadcast from Makerfield, a female audience member publicly criticized Reform UK by-election candidate Robert Kenyon, stating she would 'rather have a career politician than a plumber who's a sexist.' Kenyon, a plumber running against Labour's Andy Burnham, was forced to defend past social media posts where he wrote that women cannot 'ref, drive or give directions,' claimed female rugby presenters are only there to 'tick a box,' and made derogatory comments about abortion and a crude remark about Carol Vorderman. Kenyon insisted he no longer holds these views, calling them 'mistakes' made 15 years ago, and cited being raised by women as evidence of his respect for them. The audience applauded the woman's comment, highlighting the political fallout from Kenyon's online history.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)BBC's Chris Mason Grills Reform UK Candidate Robert Kenyon Over Controversial Social Media History
In a tense BBC interview, political editor Chris Mason confronted Reform UK's Makerfield by-election candidate Robert Kenyon about his deleted social media posts. Kenyon, a Wigan councillor running against Labour's Andy Burnham, was challenged on past comments suggesting Russia was 'well within its rights' to invade Crimea, calling the Leave campaign 'nationalistic pish' during Brexit, telling England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty to 'fuck right off' over Covid booster jabs, and endorsing a lewd post about Carol Vorderman. Kenyon defended himself by claiming he has changed his opinions, has no recollection of some statements, and that his comments were made before entering politics. Mason highlighted a pattern of remarks degrading women, including Kenyon calling abortions a 'cowardly act of murdering a defenceless baby' and admitting to being 'sexist'. The interview has dominated the by-election campaign.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)BBC Political Editor Grills Reform UK Candidate Over Controversial Social Media History
Reform UK's Makerfield by-election candidate Robert Kenyon faced a tense interview with BBC political editor Chris Mason, who confronted him over a series of deleted social media posts. Mason pressed Kenyon on past comments suggesting Russia was 'well within its rights' to invade Crimea, calling the Leave campaign 'nationalistic pish' during Brexit, and telling England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty to 'fuck right off' over Covid booster jabs. Kenyon also faced questions about endorsing a lewd post about Carol Vorderman and other remarks described as degrading to women. Kenyon defended himself by claiming he has changed his opinions, that he was not in politics at the time, and that his comments were typical of 'a normal bloke.' The by-election is seen as a two-horse race between Kenyon and Labour's Andy Burnham.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Reform UK Candidate Robert Kenyon's Unearthed Comments Spark Controversy
Reform UK's candidate for the Makerfield by-election, Robert Kenyon, faces backlash after historic social media posts were uncovered. The posts, dating from 2009 to 2019, include sexist remarks about women, anti-abortion comments calling abortion 'a cowardly act of murder,' and homophobic slurs targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Kenyon, a Wigan councillor, is running against Labour's Andy Burnham in a closely watched contest. Reform UK has defended Kenyon, dismissing the comments as 'locker room banter' and asserting his right to personal opinions on abortion. The party has stood by its candidate despite the controversy.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Reform UK Candidate Robert Kenyon's Unearthed Comments Spark Controversy
Reform UK's candidate for the Makerfield by-election, Robert Kenyon, has faced public backlash after historic social media posts were uncovered. The posts, dating from 2009 to 2019, include sexist remarks about women, anti-abortion statements calling abortion a 'cowardly act of murder,' and homophobic slurs against the LGBTQ+ community. Kenyon, a Wigan councillor, is running against Labour's Andy Burnham in a closely watched contest. Reform UK has defended Kenyon, dismissing the comments as 'locker room banter' and asserting his right to personal opinions on abortion. The party has stood by its candidate despite the controversy.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Reform UK Candidate Robert Kenyon's Unearthed Comments Spark Controversy
Reform UK's candidate for the Makerfield by-election, Robert Kenyon, a Wigan councillor and plumber, faces backlash after historic social media posts were uncovered. The posts, from the 2000s and 2010s, include sexist remarks about women, anti-abortion comments calling abortion 'cowardly murder,' and homophobic slurs against the LGBTQ+ community. Kenyon is running against Labour's Andy Burnham, who leads in polls. Reform UK has defended Kenyon, dismissing the comments as 'locker room banter' and asserting his right to personal opinions on abortion. The by-election is seen as a key contest between Reform and Labour.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Reform UK Dismisses Sexism Row Over Candidate Robert Kenyon as 'Locker Room Banter'
Reform UK has dismissed a sexism controversy surrounding its Makerfield by-election candidate, Robert Kenyon, as 'locker room banter'. Kenyon, a Wigan councillor, is running against Labour's Andy Burnham. Multiple outlets uncovered historical online comments from an account linked to Kenyon, including statements that women cannot 'ref, drive or give directions' and disparaging remarks about women's appearances. A Reform spokesperson initially downplayed the comments as decade-old banter made before Kenyon entered politics, but the response sparked further backlash on social media. Labour MP Luke Charters condemned the excuse as 'pathetic'. Campaign group Hope Not Hate also published recent messages from Kenyon's X account containing sexual and sexist language about presenter Carol Vorderman, who called him a 'cowardly misogynist' and demanded an apology. Reform MP Danny Kruger defended the remarks as private conversations. Reform has stated it fully backs Kenyon and dismissed the controversy as an 'establishment hit job'.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Reform UK Dismisses Sexism Row Over Candidate as 'Locker Room Banter'
Reform UK has dismissed a sexism controversy surrounding its Makerfield by-election candidate, Robert Kenyon, as 'locker room banter'. Kenyon, a Wigan councillor, faces Labour's Andy Burnham in the election. Multiple outlets uncovered historical online comments from an account linked to Kenyon, including statements that women cannot 'ref, drive or give directions' and disparaging remarks about women's appearances. A Reform spokesperson downplayed the comments as 'little more than locker room banter' made over a decade ago. This response sparked backlash on social media, with Labour MP Luke Charters calling it a 'pathetic excuse for blatant misogyny'. Campaign group Hope Not Hate also published recent messages from Kenyon's X account containing sexual and sexist language about presenter Carol Vorderman, who labeled him a 'cowardly misogynist' and demanded an apology. Reform MP Danny Kruger defended the remarks as private conversations, while the party's spokesperson dismissed the controversy as an 'establishment hit job' and reaffirmed support for Kenyon.
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