Questions have been raised over the social media profiles of Reform UK's Makerfield by-election candidate Robert Kenyon, with Labour demanding the aspiring MP 'explain himself to those he is seeking to represent'.
Allegations of Facebook Friendship
A campaign group named Searchlight has made worrying claims that Kenyon was friends with the fascist campaigner Gary Raikes on Facebook. This was allegedly on a Facebook page that has since been deleted. The Reform party said Kenyon's Facebook page was removed because it was decided he should have a public-facing profile after becoming a councillor earlier this month.
Terminated X Account
Other social media concerns relate to the candidate's X account, formerly known as Twitter, which appeared to be terminated on the site in 2024.
Party Responses
Farage's party claimed Kenyon has never spoken to Raikes and added: 'Having a Facebook friend does not constitute an endorsement of their views'. A Reform UK spokesman told the Mirror: 'These are pathetic attempts to smear a brilliant candidate through links that are tenuous at best. The public can see right through these desperate accusations. Having a Facebook friend does not constitute an endorsement of their views. Cllr Kenyon has never spoken or engaged with Gary Raikes.'
Despite this, the Labour Party said the allegations against the Reform candidate were 'serious and deeply troubling' and urged Kenyon to 'explain himself' to the people of Makerfield. A Labour spokesman said: 'These are serious and deeply troubling allegations. Nigel Farage needs to urgently come clean on whether Reform were aware of his candidate's apparent fascist friends. Robert Kenyon must also explain himself to those he is seeking to represent. What is his relationship with this man? Voters in Makerfield and across Britain deserve an answer.'
By-Election Details
The Makerfield by-election will take place on Thursday June 18, Wigan council confirmed yesterday. The Conservatives announced former Wigan mayor Michael Winstanley as the party's candidate. The Green Party revealed their candidate was nurse and children's safeguarding specialist Chris Kennedy, with leader Zack Polanski dubbing him a 'fantastic candidate'.
Previous Controversies
Reform has already faced heat over the social media profiles of some of its campaigners and councillors. 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' - was pictured on the campaign trail in Makerfield. Adam 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, including 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.
A Labour Campaign spokesperson 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.'
At the time of Mitula's suspension, Reform said: '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.'
