Grant StClair-Armstrong will no longer stand in Essex constituency Saffron Walden, which was most recently represented by Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch.
Political reporter @Journoamrogers
Sunday 16 June 2024 23:19, UK
The Reform Party has accepted the resignation of one of its election candidates after "unacceptable historic social media comments" came to light.
Grant StClair-Armstrong, who was standing in Saffron Walden, the Essex constituency where Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch was the most recent MP, tendered his resignation following reports in The Times that he had previously called on people to vote for the British National Party (BNP).
The newspaper reported that StClair-Armstrong posted a blog in 2010 in which he said: "I could weep now, every time I pick up a British newspaper and read the latest about the state of the UK. No doubt, Enoch Powell would be doing the same if he was alive. My solution … vote BNP!"
When The Times contacted Mr StClair-Armstrong about the comments, he said he had "no excuses".
"I've got no excuses for that," he said. "I think they're a disgusting party. I don't like the English Defence League. I don't like them."
Election latest: Pub registered as political party; Farage to launch Reform manifesto in Wales
The former candidate also said he would hand in his resignation, adding: "I don't really see any alternative."
A spokesperson for Reform told Sky News: "Mr StClair-Armstrong has tendered his resignation as a member of Reform UK due to the revelation of unacceptable historic social media comments and we have accepted his resignation."
His resignation comes just a day before Nigel Farage is due to launch the party's policies in South Wales on Monday afternoon.
Last week another Reform candidate apologised for an old internet post which said Britain should have "taken Hitler up on his offer of neutrality" instead of fighting the Nazis in the Second World War.
Ian Gribbin, who is standing in the East Sussex seat of Bexhill and Battle, told Sky News that he apologised and withdrew the comments "unreservedly".
???? Click here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts ????
He added that he was "upset" at how they had been "taken out of context", saying his mother was the daughter of Russian Jewish people who fled persecution.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Rishi Sunak surprised his opponents when he called an election for 4 July, having previously hinted it would take place later in the autumn.
Responding to Mr Gribbin's case at the time, Mr Farage said his party "ran out of time" to properly vet candidates.
Read more on Sky News:Euro 2024: England beat Serbia 1-0 in nervy opening matchFarage to launch 'contract with the people' in Wales
The Reform leader claimed all parties "will suffer" from selection controversies because of the speed at which they had to pick people after the election was called.
Sky News footer
