STORY
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has defended the selection of Joshua Bonehill-Paine as a candidate for Somerset Council despite his previous convictions for hate offences. Bonehill-Paine was convicted in 2015 of racially aggravated harassment of the then Labour MP Luciana Berger and was also imprisoned for stirring up hatred against a Jewish community in north London.
Badenoch said his past conduct had been appalling but argued that he had rejected his former views and demonstrated rehabilitation through work connected with the Prevent anti-radicalisation programme. She said the election was for a local authority role involving matters such as parking and bins, rather than a national political platform.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council declined an invitation to meet Bonehill-Paine and called on the Conservatives to withdraw his candidacy. Berger said there was a major distinction between explaining why earlier conduct was wrong and seeking public office, describing what happened to her as a sustained campaign rather than isolated remarks.