Reform UK’s contender in the Makerfield by-election has stirred controversy by suggesting that Russia was justified in its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Robert Kenyon, the candidate, endorsed a social media post characterizing Moscow’s actions in Crimea as “democracy in action.”
This revelation adds to a string of contentious remarks by Kenyon, who is challenging Labour’s Andy Burnham in the Greater Manchester constituency on June 18. In a forum post from March 2014, Kenyon expressed agreement with a statement asserting that Crimea’s residents desired affiliation with Russia, likening it to the Falklands situation.
Following the annexation, over 100,000 Ukrainians fled Crimea as the Russian government cracked down on dissent. Kenyon’s online activity further includes derogatory remarks about women, including support for inappropriate comments about Carol Vorderman. Responding to Vorderman’s demand for an apology, Kenyon acknowledged the inappropriateness of his past statements.
Moreover, Kenyon has faced criticism for past comments on various topics, such as disparaging women’s abilities and expressing skepticism towards Brexit. In response to the controversy, Defence Minister Luke Pollard criticized Kenyon for echoing Kremlin narratives and defending Putin’s actions against Ukraine.
In a separate development, a group of MPs has called for an investigation into Reform UK over allegations of Islamophobia. Labour MPs and an independent former Labour MP have accused Reform UK of breaching the Equality Act. In defense, a Reform UK spokesperson clarified that Kenyon’s comments predated his political involvement and emphasized his opposition to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
The ongoing controversies surrounding Kenyon have raised concerns about his alignment with mainstream British sentiments, prompting calls for scrutiny into Reform UK’s stance on various issues.