Grant StClair-Armstrong, the Reform UK candidate challenging Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch in North West Essex, has resigned after historical comments encouraging support for the far-right British National Party (BNP) came to light.
The 71-year-old former RAF serviceman and town councillor wrote a blog post in 2010 on the Joli Triste website, lamenting the state of the UK and suggesting a vote for the BNP. The site also contained racial slurs and offensive jokes. StClair-Armstrong told The Times he had 'no excuses' and described the BNP as 'disgusting'.
Despite his resignation, StClair-Armstrong's name will remain on the ballot paper as a Reform UK candidate, as nominations cannot be changed at this stage. If he wins, he would sit as an independent. A Reform UK spokesperson confirmed his resignation had been accepted.
StClair-Armstrong said the comments were made in a moment of frustration and that he had since 'cleaned up his act'. He added that he did not support the BNP or its former leader Nick Griffin.
