A Reform UK campaigner who was suspended by the party over racism allegations—including a claim he allegedly wrote he "wouldn't touch a Jewish woman"—has been pictured campaigning in Makerfield. Adam Mitula has been on the campaign trail for Nigel Farage's party ahead of next month's by-election.
Mr Mitula was suspended in February after anti-racism group Hope Not Hate uncovered a string of disturbing messages on an X account in his name. These included alleged use of the N-word, a comment about Jewish women, and a post appearing to question the number of Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust. However, he appears to have returned to the fold, sharing pictures of himself in Makerfield on his Facebook page. He was also shown door knocking in an ITV News report over the weekend.
A Labour Campaign spokesman told The Mirror: "Reform are hell bent on dividing our communities and want to use the Makerfield by-election to spread their toxic division across our communities. Nigel Farage must confirm whether Adam Mitula remains suspended from Reform. If he hasn’t been thrown out, Farage needs to urgently come clean and explain why he’s happy to have a man who’s accused of making appalling and racist posts online out campaigning for his Party. Labour will always champion unity over division and is the only Party that can stop Reform."
Nigel Farage has pledged to throw everything at the contest to block Andy Burnham's return to Parliament. Mr Burnham is expected to be unveiled as Labour's pick to contest the seat, which was vacated when former minister Josh Simons announced he was stepping down last week. Reform has yet to announce its candidate, and it remains unclear how prominent a role Mr Mitula will play in the campaign. He was suspended by the party during the Gorton & Denton by-election in February, when he was a key campaigner for unsuccessful candidate Matthew Goodwin.
Posts from a now-deleted X account in his name uncovered by Hope Not Hate included one in August 2024 which used the N-word. Referring to the Holocaust death toll, one post read: "6 million people including some Jews. They always use Poles to make up the number. And on top of it they claim Poles were killing. Just sick." Another post, from July 2024, read: "I wouldn't touch a Jewish woman."
The Mirror has contacted Reform UK and Mr Mitula for comment. In February, he confirmed his suspension but claimed the remarks were taken out of context. He said at the time: "I’m confirming my suspension as a Reform member pending investigation. The comments in question were taken out of context, and actually defended the Jewish community. The original article was published by the Manchester Mill, known for spreading misinformation and aligned with political opposition. My solicitor is contacting them and anyone else spreading false info that damages my reputation."
Mr Goodwin, who was backed by the far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson, finished second in the Gorton and Denton contest, also in Greater Manchester. He lost to new Green Party MP Hannah Spencer. A Reform UK spokesman said in February: "With regard to Adam Mitula, our disciplinary process is confidential and we do not provide a running commentary on any potential cases that are being considered."
