Reform by-election candidate ‘was Facebook friends with neo-fascist leader’

LocalPolitics
20 May 2026 • 10:02 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Reform by-election candidate ‘was Facebook friends with neo-fascist leader’

  • Reform UK's candidate for the Makerfield by-election, Robert Kenyon, was previously Facebook 'friends' with Gary Raikes, a neo-fascist leader.
  • Gary Raikes founded the New British Union, which claims to be a revival of Sir Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists, and has been photographed in fascist uniform.
  • Reform UK stated that the Facebook friendship does not constitute an endorsement of Raikes' views and praised Kenyon as a 'brilliant candidate'.
  • The revelation adds to ongoing concerns about Reform UK's vetting processes, following previous accusations of candidates making racist, misogynistic, and homophobic comments.
  • Labour has called for Nigel Farage to explain if Reform UK was aware of Kenyon's alleged links before his selection, highlighting the issue's relevance for the upcoming by-election.

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