Carol Vorderman has called for an apology from Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon after a series of offensive social media posts resurfaced. The broadcaster described Kenyon, who is standing in the Makerfield byelection, as a 'misogynist' and a 'cowardly man' for comments made in 2021, including one where he endorsed a sexually explicit remark about her.
Kenyon, a Wigan councillor, has since deleted his social media accounts. Reform MP Danny Kruger defended the comments as 'inappropriate' but not serious enough to drop Kenyon as a candidate, stating they were made before he entered politics. Vorderman dismissed this, arguing that public online abuse cannot be excused as 'ordinary' behaviour.
Further posts from 2019 on a rugby league forum revealed Kenyon claimed women have abortions for 'vanity purposes' and that women cannot 'ref, drive or give directions'. A Reform spokesperson said these were personal opinions made before his political career and that Kenyon is a 'straight-talking' candidate for ordinary people.
Labour's Angela Rayner also condemned the comments, calling them 'repulsive misogynistic abuse'. The byelection, triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Yvonne Fovargue, will see Kenyon face former Labour minister Andy Burnham.
