Adam Mitula, a Reform UK activist suspended over racist and antisemitic comments, has been named as the election agent for three party candidates in the Tameside area ahead of local polls on 7 May. Mitula, who served as interim campaign manager for Matthew Goodwin during his failed parliamentary bid, confirmed in February that he had been suspended pending investigation.
The suspension followed evidence published by anti-racism group Hope Not Hate, which appeared to show Mitula posting a highly offensive racial slur aimed at black people and making derogatory remarks about Jewish women. Posts also included claims that '60-70%' of transgender people were paedophiles and that there were 'Muslim no-go ghettoes in the UK'. Mitula later said his remarks had been taken out of context.
A notice of election document published last Thursday lists Mitula as election agent for Reform candidates Aron Webb, Audra Murray and Daniel Bennett, who are standing in three wards in Tameside. His reappearance comes after a spate of axings, suspensions and resignations of senior Reform UK figures, including candidates in Scotland and Wales, as well as the party's Hampshire mayoral candidate Chris Parry and housing spokesperson Simon Dudley.
Jackie Olden, Green party candidate for Denton South in Tameside, criticised Reform's approach, saying: 'Time and again, we have seen a pattern of commentary and behaviour from the Reform leadership that aims to normalise division in our communities. Here in Tameside, residents have already seen the impact of that approach.'
Reform UK and Mitula have been approached for comment regarding his ongoing involvement in campaigning for the local elections, where the party is tipped for major breakthroughs. An X account associated with Mitula has since been deleted.
