{"id":2168,"date":"2024-06-29T12:21:41","date_gmt":"2024-06-29T12:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/reform-drops-three-candidates-over-offensive-comments\/"},"modified":"2024-06-29T12:21:41","modified_gmt":"2024-06-29T12:21:41","slug":"reform-drops-three-candidates-over-offensive-comments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/reform-drops-three-candidates-over-offensive-comments\/","title":{"rendered":"Reform drops three candidates over offensive comments"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Reform drops three candidates over offensive comments<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-8589xk-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-fmt1c3-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Nigel Farage\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/n02bou.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/39c6\/live\/ed4065b0-360d-11ef-8219-5dad2e03f871.jpg 976w\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">PA Media<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1hbb5i-BylineComponentWrapper e8mq1e90\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-qt5zqv-BylineWrapper e8mq1e917\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-h3c0s8-ContributorContainer e8mq1e916\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u2in0b-Container-ContributorDetails e8mq1e913\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-68pt20-Text-TextContributorName e8mq1e96\">Becky Morton<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-84ltp5-Text e8mq1e910\">Political reporter<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-jlwt2c-Divider e8mq1e915\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"metadata-block\" class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-j4gvkq-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2024-06-29T11:57:16.419Z\">29 June 2024, 12:57 BST<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1vkz65z-MetadataSnippetWrapper ek9haql0\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2024-06-29T12:19:12.695Z\">Updated 1 minute ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">Reform UK has dropped three of its candidates following reports they had made offensive comments, a spokesperson has confirmed.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">However, Edward Oakenfull, who is standing in Derbyshire Dales; Robert Lomas, a candidate in Barnsley North, and Leslie Lilley, standing in Southend East and Rochford, will still appear on the ballot paper as Reform candidates as it is too late for them to be removed. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It comes after leader Nigel Farage disowned the candidates during an appearance on BBC Question Time on Friday evening, when their remarks were put to him. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mr Farage told the programme: &#8220;I want nothing to do with them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">Warning: This story contains language that may offend<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mr Oakenfull posted derogatory comments about the IQ of sub-Saharan Africans on social media last year. He previously told the BBC the remarks had been taken out of context. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Robert Lomas reportedly said black people should &#8220;get off [their] lazy arses&#8221; and stop acting &#8220;like savages&#8221;. The comments were reported by the Times on 8 June, with Reform at the time claiming they were &#8220;out of context part quotations&#8221; and it needed more time to respond.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Leslie Lilley reportedly described people arriving on small boats as &#8220;scum&#8221; in a social media post, adding: &#8220;I hope your family get robbed, beaten or attacked.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Asked about the comments on a BBC Question Times Leaders&#8217; Special, Mr Farage said: &#8220;You get people in all parties saying bad things and wrong things.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">However, he argued this was partly the consequence of having to find candidates quickly following the surprise announcement that there would be a general election in July. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"links-block\" class=\"ssrcss-12l5xzx-LinksComponentWrapper e3eyuya0\">\n<section class=\"ssrcss-msolhr-LinksWrapper e3eyuya5\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-mh3hvv-InContentLinksGrid e3eyuya3\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-nw19pv-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-15dlehh-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Farage challenged over canvasser&#8217;s racist slurs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-j4gvkq-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">1 hour ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-nw19pv-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-15dlehh-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Reform candidates&#8217; offensive remarks seen by BBC<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-j4gvkq-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">5 days ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Since the start of the general election campaign, Reform has faced persistent questions over its selection of candidates, after numerous examples of offensive social media posts emerged.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">All the main parties have had to drop potential parliamentary candidates over inappropriate comments, however this has been the case for more Reform candidates than other parties. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The party has blamed a company it hired to conduct background checks on would-be candidates, claiming it failed to carry out vetting before the election was called. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\">You can find a full list of candidates for <\/i><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\">Derbyshire Dales<\/i><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\">, <\/i><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\">Barnsley North<\/i><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\"> and <\/i><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\">Southend East and Rochford<\/i><i class=\"ssrcss-xbdn93-ItalicText e5tfeyi2\"> on the BBC News website. <\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"topic-list\" class=\"ssrcss-1qmkvfu-TopicListWrapper etw6iwl1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-smoc0a-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-50vlbt-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 type=\"normal\" class=\"ssrcss-1hh51ad-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related Topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1ujonwb-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>Nigel Farage<\/li>\n<li>Reform UK<\/li>\n<li>General election 2024 <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Published at Sat, 29 Jun 2024 12:19:12 +0000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reform drops three candidates over offensive comments PA Media Becky Morton Political reporter 29 June 2024, 12:57 BST Updated 1 minute ago Reform UK has dropped three of its candidates following reports they had made offensive comments, a spokesperson has confirmed. However, Edward Oakenfull, who is standing in Derbyshire Dales; Robert Lomas, a candidate in&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/reform-drops-three-candidates-over-offensive-comments\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Reform drops three candidates over offensive comments<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uk-politics","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2168"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2168\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}