Carol Vorderman has hit out at Reform's Makerfield by-election candidate Robert Kenyon after he welcomed an endorsement from controversial former soldier and TV presenter Ant Middleton. Kenyon is seen as the main rival to Labour's Andy Burnham, who is bidding to return to parliament in the Makerfield by-election on Thursday (June 18). If he wins the Wigan seat, Greater Manchester Mayor Burnham has signalled his intention to enter any leadership contest which may be triggered.
Ant Middleton's Campaign Appearance
Reform has been campaigning heavily in the constituency, which on Friday included an appearance from former Special Boat Service sniper and SAS: Who Dares Wins presenter Middleton. Standing next to Kenyon, Middleton described him as the 'only candidate you must vote' and urged people to 'vote with (their) heads' and 'vote strategically', in what was seen as an attempt to woo voters from fellow right-wing party Restore Britain.
Kenyon posted the video with Middleton along with the caption: "Great to have the endorsement of one of my heroes @antmiddleton."
Controversial Comments Resurface
Since plumber and newly-elected Wigan councillor Kenyon was announced as Reform’s candidate, comments allegedly made by him online and on social media have been subjected to heavy scrutiny, including one he made in relation to Vorderman. In December 2021, after a social media user directed a crude sexual remark at Vorderman, Kenyon replied saying that the man was 'only saying what we're all thinking.'
After the comments emerged, Vorderman described him as a 'little coward' and that his posts displayed a 'pattern of online abuse, trying to belittle women.' She wrote a letter to 6,000 women in the constituency, drawing attention to his alleged comments and telling them they had the power to 'decide if Rob Kenyon is the person you want to represent you.'
Polling Impact
New polling, exclusively revealed by the Manchester Evening News on Saturday evening, suggests the controversy has damaged his campaign. The survey put Burnham on 46 per cent, five per cent ahead of Kenyon on 41 per cent. When voters were asked whether things candidates had said or done during the campaign made them more or less likely to support them, Kenyon recorded a net score of minus eight points, with 30pc saying that they were less likely to vote for him compared with 22pc who said they were more likely to do so.
Vorderman's Reaction to Middleton Endorsement
Reacting to the results, former Countdown presenter Vorderman also hit out at his acceptance of support from Middleton. In 2013, Middleton was sentenced to 14 months in prison after he was convicted of the unlawful wounding of a male police officer and the common assault of a female officer following an incident outside a nightclub.
"As women, we should not have to accept a culture where disrespectful or misogynistic attitudes are dismissed as ‘banter’ or brushed aside as irrelevant," Vorderman told the M.E.N. "It’s proven time and time again that bad online behaviour encourages abuse of women in the everyday world, so I'm pleased that the strong women of Makerfield are appalled by Kenyon’s comments and how the little coward refuses to apologise to anyone. Also this week calling Ant Middleton 'one of my heroes' after Middleton was jailed for 'common assault of a female police officer' in 2013. It tells you all you need to know about Kenyon."
Labour Party Response
Labour party chair Anna Turley MP said: "Farage's Reform have no shame. Their last by-election candidate was endorsed by Tommy Robinson and now Rob Kenyon is delighted to have the backing of a man who was jailed for assaulting two police officers." She said Middleton 'should be nowhere near any political party' and added: "While Robert Kenyon continues to be mired in scandal and avoids answering questions about his past behaviour, Labour’s Andy Burnham is working every day to unite communities and speak with local residents about his plan to bring investment to Makerfield."
Middleton's Denial
In response to Turley's comments, Middleton took to X last night to describe her claims as 'highly misleading and completely false', insisting that he had 'never laid a finger on a woman, let alone a female police officer.' Middleton told The Mirror in 2015 he was 'filled with remorse' over the incident and was 'shocked' and 'ashamed' by how he acted. He told the publication he had written to the police officers involved to apologise. He added that he had 'not laid a finger' on the woman officer, but she had feared for her safety.
Kenyon's Response
Kenyon has previously told the M.E.N. that 'no offence was meant' in relation to the comments about Vorderman, describing the post as 'a crude attempt at a joke.' "I’m not a polished politician," he said. "I am rough around the edges. I have made mistakes in my life." Asked if he wanted to apologise, he said: "I think I’ve addressed the issue," before adding: "If you go into any building site in the area or any public barracks, I think you’d hear a hundred times worse said."
Reform UK's Defence
Reform have described Vorderman as 'a left-wing bad faith actor' and argued that voters were more concerned about issues such as women's safety, immigration and public services. The party said Kenyon's direct style was precisely why he would be 'a straight-talking, effective voice for normal working people in Makerfield.'
