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A controversial candidate with a neo-Nazi past, Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who was chosen by the Conservative Party to stand in a local council election next year, has withdrawn his candidacy following widespread criticism. Bonehill-Paine was previously convicted for racially harassing Jewish former Labour MP Luciana Berger in 2016, while he was already serving a prison sentence for distributing antisemitic content.
Despite the backlash, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch initially defended his selection, emphasizing the party’s belief in rehabilitation and second chances. However, Bonehill-Paine announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Somerset Council race in Crewkerne South. Instead, he revealed he had accepted a role as an anti-extremism adviser to the Conservatives, specifically with their Culture and Integration Commission. He described this position as focused on helping prevent the radicalization of young men.
Baroness Luciana Berger, now a member of the House of Lords, condemned the Conservatives for appointing Bonehill-Paine as an adviser, calling it “an insult” and asserting that this decision was as problematic as allowing him to stand for council. Berger recounted the severe impact Bonehill-Paine’s harassment had on her life during his trial at the Old Bailey, where she provided evidence. The judge in the case described the harassment as one of the worst instances of racial aggravation seen by the court, noting that Bonehill-Paine had shown disrespect throughout the proceedings.
Bonehill-Paine has publicly repudiated his former extremist views, describing them as “indefensible,” and claims to have worked against antisemitism since his release in 2018. Yet, the party’s choice to select him drew intense criticism from Jewish groups, some of whom declined to meet him. In reaction to the controversy, Bonehill-Paine stated on social media that his past would distract from the constructive work he aims to do today. He also said that, rather than running for local office, he preferred to support Kemi Badenoch in her efforts to combat antisemitism and extremism.
In earlier comments, Badenoch expressed disappointment that Bonehill-Paine felt he lacked an opportunity to represent his community but welcomed his new role combating radicalization within the party. She insisted that addressing extremism requires input from those who have turned away from their past harmful beliefs. However, her stance drew criticism from other political figures. Reform UK labelled the adviser appointment “alarming news for the Jewish community,” while Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance acknowledged Bonehill-Paine’s withdrawal as appropriate but sharply criticized Badenoch’s handling of the situation. The Board of Deputies of British Jews also welcomed the withdrawal and urged political parties to strengthen their candidate vetting procedures to prevent racism and antisemitism
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