Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who was slated to run as a Conservative candidate for the Crewkerne South ward in Somerset, has withdrawn his candidacy following outcry from Jewish groups. Bonehill-Paine was convicted in 2016 for racially aggravated harassment against Baroness Luciana Berger, a Jewish former Labour MP.
Bonehill-Paine had posted several blog entries about Baroness Berger, describing her in derogatory terms and suggesting a problem with the number of Jewish Labour MPs. He was previously jailed for creating an advertisement for a neo-Nazi rally that depicted an Auschwitz concentration camp with the phrase "an absolute gas."
Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch initially defended Bonehill-Paine's candidacy, stating her belief that he had been rehabilitated. She pointed to his work training police officers on anti-Semitism and countering extremism, and noted that he had spoken at universities and schools. Badenoch suggested that excluding individuals who have experienced radicalization, but are now part of the fight against extremism, undermines the concept of rehabilitation.
However, Baroness Berger and various Jewish organizations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, demanded that the party reconsider its decision. In a joint statement, these groups emphasized the severity of Bonehill-Paine's past actions and stated that while rehabilitation is possible, it should not extend to selection as a candidate for a major political party. They also highlighted the impact on victims.
Lord Ian Austin, a former minister who left the Labour party due to anti-Semitism, criticized the selection, questioning the Home Office's involvement with Bonehill-Paine. He argued that Bonehill-Paine's history of extreme anti-Semitism and harassment makes him unfit for public office, regardless of any claimed change.
In contrast, former Tory Cabinet minister Lord Michael Gove supported the idea of rehabilitation, stating that contrition, forgiveness, and repentance are crucial. He argued that individuals should not be defined by their past mistakes if they have acknowledged their fault and are actively working to prevent others from following a similar path.
Bonehill-Paine himself stated he had "no excuses" for his past actions and has since committed himself to challenging anti-Semitism. He is also known for creating a satirical website, the Crewkerne Gazette, which features AI-generated videos of politicians. Reform UK has reportedly reported Bonehill-Paine to the Electoral Commission regarding these videos, questioning if they were published on behalf of the Conservatives.
Badenoch commented that she does not watch or approve of AI-generated deepfake videos, stating that Bonehill-Paine's work on combating anti-Semitism is the primary focus, not his online content.