- Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former far-right activist with a history of convictions, has been selected as a Conservative candidate for the upcoming Somerset Council elections in Crewkerne South.
- Bonehill-Paine was found guilty in 2016 of racially-aggravated harassment against former Jewish MP Luciana Berger, posting antisemitic material and offensive images online.
- He states he is a 'changed man' and has spent the last eight years working in counter-extremism, delivering seminars and talks to police, probation, schools, and universities.
- The Conservative Party acknowledged Bonehill-Paine's past actions as 'indefensible' but stated they believe in rehabilitation, noting he has served his sentence and engaged in counter-extremism work.
- His selection occurs amidst stricter candidate selection processes within the Conservative Party, as recently outlined by Kemi Badenoch regarding earning a place.
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