Reform’s Danny Kruger has expressed support for the Makerfield by-election candidate despite controversial remarks made about Carol Vorderman. The former Tory MP stated during a lively discussion on BBC that he would not be monitoring the candidate’s past comments following allegations of misogyny by the former Countdown star against Robert Kenyon.
This development follows the discovery by the campaigning group HopeNotHate that Mr. Kenyon, selected as Reform’s contender against Labour’s Andy Burnham in the crucial by-election, had two X accounts. One of these accounts has been suspended by the platform, while the other has been deleted, according to HopeNotHate.
During a segment on the Today program, presenter Emma Barnett brought to light a deleted Twitter exchange from Christmas Eve 2021 where Mr. Kenyon endorsed a lewd message directed at Carol Vorderman. In response, Mr. Kruger acknowledged the incident as a private comment that was inappropriately made public, emphasizing the challenge of social media blurring private and public communication.
Carol Vorderman, in an interview with The Mirror, labeled Rob Kenyon as a misogynist, expressing strong disapproval of his online behavior. Mr. Kruger, while acknowledging the inappropriate nature of the public comments, defended Mr. Kenyon, emphasizing that the remarks were made in a different context and not reflective of his candidacy.
When questioned about the possibility of removing Mr. Kenyon as Reform’s candidate in Makerfield, Mr. Kruger rebuffed the idea, asserting that while such language is unacceptable for politicians, Mr. Kenyon’s prior statements were made as a private individual. Reform reiterated its support for Mr. Kenyon, citing his lack of political polish as a quality that would resonate with ordinary constituents.
In response to HopeNotHate’s investigation, a Reform UK spokesperson reiterated their confidence in Cllr Kenyon’s candidacy, highlighting his authenticity and direct communication style as attributes that would benefit the people of Makerfield.