Badenoch gives former neo-Nazi advisory role after he withdraws as Tory candidate

Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi activist convicted of harassing a Jewish MP, has withdrawn as a Conservative election candidate. He stated that Kemi Badenoch offered him a role as an advisor to the party's culture and integration commission, focusing on youth radicalization. Badenoch expressed sadness at his withdrawal as a candidate, suggesting his experience could help combat extremism. However, the appointment has drawn condemnation from figures like former MP Luciana Berger, who was the target of Bonehill-Paine's abuse. The Board of Deputies of British Jews, however, viewed his advisory role as potentially beneficial for countering radicalization. Public opinion polls indicated a majority of British voters found his initial selection unacceptable.

The leader of Britain's opposition Conservative Party has defended the decision to select Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi convicted of hate crimes, as a local election candidate for Somerset council. Bonehill-Paine was jailed in 2015 for racially aggravated harassment of a former Labour MP and for inciting hatred against a Jewish community. The Conservative leader stated that Bonehill-Paine is rehabilitated and could assist in combating antisemitism. This selection has faced criticism from other political parties and Jewish organizations.

Former MP Luciana Berger has urged the Conservative party leader to drop Joshua Bonehill-Paine as an election candidate due to his past campaign of antisemitic abuse against her. Bonehill-Paine was previously jailed for racial harassment and posting antisemitic material online, including abuse directed at Berger. Conservative minister Kemi Badenoch defended the selection, stating the party believes in "second chances" and that Bonehill-Paine has shown contrition and is involved in counter-extremism work. However, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and other groups have criticized the decision, questioning the party's vetting processes. Bonehill-Paine is set to stand for Somerset council next year.