The Conservative Party has offered to arrange a meeting between Jewish groups and a council election candidate, Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who has a history of neo-Nazi activism and served time in prison. The party is facing criticism for selecting him to stand for a seat on Somerset Council in 2027.
Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative leader, stated that the party believes in second chances and that Bonehill-Paine is actively working to counter the extremism he was once involved in. "He's going up and down the country training people and the Conservative Party believes in second chances," Badenoch said. "This is not just someone that we've picked up who is a convicted criminal - this is somebody who is actively working to help communities, especially Jewish communities."
Bonehill-Paine has previously described his past views as "indefensible" and now speaks out against extremism. He spent three years in prison for posting antisemitic material ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally. He was also convicted of racially harassing then-Labour MP Luciana Berger. Berger, now a member of the House of Lords, stated that Bonehill-Paine had published "deeply racist, misogynistic and pornographic material" about her and that the case "still haunts" her. She added, "For the avoidance of doubt I don't believe this man should have any role in public life, because of both his racism and his view of women."
Bonehill-Paine stated that he reformed his views after learning of the murder of MP Jo Cox and subsequently completed a de-radicalisation program. He now delivers counter-extremism sessions across the UK. "When I was first released from prison in 2018, I was supported by many of the people in my local community who understood that I had made some awful mistakes but was wanting to change my life around," he said.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, a representative body for Jewish people in the UK, has called on the Conservatives to withdraw Bonehill-Paine's candidacy. Karen Newman, vice president of the Board of Deputies, said the selection "beggars belief" and that the board had contacted the Conservatives to "set out our concerns and call on them to rescind his selection and review their vetting processes."
The party has reportedly offered the Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council, and Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis a meeting with Bonehill-Paine to discuss their concerns directly.
Other political parties have also criticized the decision. Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance questioned why the Conservative Party considered Bonehill-Paine fit to serve, while a Labour Party spokesperson called his selection "a total disgrace."
Bonehill-Paine was selected to stand for the new Somerset Council seat of Crewkerne South in 2027. He expressed a desire to "give back" to the community that had supported him during his transition.
Bonehill-Paine also has previous convictions for assaulting a police officer, burglary of a police station, and malicious communications.