A candidate from Reform UK has been suspended from the party following the discovery of social media posts expressing admiration for Jimmy Savile, a notorious serial sex abuser. Stephen Hartley, who was supposed to represent Reform UK in the Banbury Hardwick ward during the upcoming local elections in Oxfordshire County Council, admitted to endorsing Savile as a “working class hero” in a 2022 post. Furthermore, he acknowledged that he may have neglected to disclose his X account to Reform UK.
Upon being presented with the incriminating posts, Reform UK took prompt action by suspending Mr. Hartley and revoking all support for his candidacy. Jimmy Savile, a prominent British TV personality renowned for his charity work, was posthumously revealed to be a prolific sexual predator following his death in 2011. Despite numerous victims coming forward to accuse Savile of abuse in various settings including BBC premises, hospitals, schools, and children’s homes, Mr. Hartley expressed skepticism regarding the veracity of these claims.
Despite his suspension, Mr. Hartley’s name will still be featured on the ballot paper as a Reform UK candidate due to the timing of the announcement after candidate lists had been finalized. However, Reform UK swiftly distanced themselves from him as soon as they were made aware of the controversial posts. Party leader Nigel Farage had previously emphasized the importance of vetting candidates ahead of local elections, underscoring the necessity of being cautious in such matters. In response to his suspension, Mr. Hartley acknowledged the party’s decision, admitting that he may have overlooked informing them about his Twitter account and acknowledging the need for Reform UK to exercise caution in such circumstances
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
