Ex neo-Nazi activist withdraws as Tory election candidate

In his social media post, Bonehill-Paine said his local election candidacy would prompt opposition parties to “spend all their time focusing on my past rather than the work I’m doing today”.

“Rather than standing as a local council candidate, I believe that my experience is better used supporting Kemi Badenoch in her ongoing mission to combat the antisemitism and extremism that is dividing our nation,” he added.

In a blog post earlier for ConservativeHome, he said his anti-extremism work had included delivering training sessions and seminars for institutions including universities, schools, colleges, and probation services.

In a social media post, Badenoch said: “While I am sad that Joshua feels he won’t be given the space to explain his position and represent his community, I am glad he is going to work with me and the party on tackling radicalisation.”

“If we are going to stop extremism and antisemitism we are going to need help from those people who were part of the problem, but have now changed and are being part of the solution,” she added.

“Piling on them and trying to get them cancelled may be sport for other parties, but this is a different Conservative Party.”

But Reform UK hit out at Badenoch’s decision to offer him the adviser role, with a spokesman saying it “beggars belief” and was “alarming news for the Jewish community in Britain”.

Adam Dance, Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil, said Bonehill-Paine’s withdrawal was “the right outcome, but it should never have got to this point”.

He said: “What’s most concerning now is Kemi Badenoch’s response – she has not accepted her party got this wrong, and instead frames legitimate concern about antisemitism as ‘piling on’. That is a troubling message to send.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed his withdrawal as a council candidate, adding: “We continue to urge all parties to use their vetting to ensure a robust stance on racism and discrimination, including antisemitism.”