STORY
Chris Kennedy has withdrawn as the Green Party candidate for the Makerfield by-election just hours after being selected. Kennedy, a nurse and children’s safeguarding specialist, had been chosen by local party members to contest the seat, but the party later confirmed that he had stepped down for “personal and family reasons”.
The withdrawal followed scrutiny of previous social media posts, including material relating to an arson attack on Jewish ambulances in Golders Green. The Guardian reported that the Green Party said the posts did not reflect its values, and that Kennedy had deleted them and apologised.
The party said it would reopen nominations and hold a new selection meeting on Monday. The Makerfield by-election, expected on 18 June, was triggered after Labour MP Josh Simons resigned, clearing the way for Andy Burnham to seek a return to Parliament. Labour has selected Burnham as its candidate, while Reform UK is standing Robert Kenyon.