Kemi Badenoch’s decision to appoint former neo-Nazi activist Joshua Bonehill-Paine as a counter-extremism advisor to the Conservative Party has brought his counter-extremist credentials into question.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The British Home Office has stated that it does not certify counter-extremism training, contradicting claims made by Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a neo-Nazi turned counter-extremist advisor to Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke “Kemi” Badenoch’s notionally center-right Conservative (Tory) Party. 📺 DETAIL: Bonehill-Paine is a former neo-Nazi activist with a range of criminal convictions, including racially-aggravated harassment of a former Member of Parliament. Bonehill-Paine was set to stand in next year’s local elections in Somerset, England, for the Conservatives. However, following backlash surrounding his criminal past, Bonehill-Paine withdrew his candidacy. However, he was swiftly appointed as an advisor to the Conservative Party’s Culture and Integration Commission, which helps formulate the party’s social policies. Bonehill-Paine will advise the party on combating radicalization and anti-Semitism. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch defended Bonehill-Paine, saying, “If we are going to stop extremism and anti-Semitism, we are going to need help from those people who were part of the problem, but have now changed and are being part of the solution.” The Conservatives leader’s decision was partially motivated by Bonehill-Paine’s claim that he received “Home Office certification” for “counter-extremism work” after leaving prison. This work supposedly involves traveling “across the country delivering training to police officers, probation services, schools, universities and many other organisations.” However, it has since been revealed that the Home Office does not certify individuals for counter-extremism training, though it funds organizations for such work. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “The Home Office does not certify individuals to deliver training… We do provide funding to Civil Society Organisations, who may use individuals to deliver training on preventing extremism that is commissioned by local authorities.” – Home Office statement 🎯 IMPACT: Bonehill-Paine’s appointment has sparked backlash from Jewish community leaders. Reform UK have also been critical of the appointment. “Kemi claims the Tories have changed and they will have a new generation of candidates. It’s now clear what calibre of candidates they will be. Kemi claims to support the fight against antisemitism yet selects a convicted antisemite Nazi as a candidate. The hypocrisy is breathtaking,” said a spokesman for the party. The fact that Bonehill-Paine’s counter-extremist credentials have since been thrown into doubt makes the appointment even more questionable. 📺 FLASHBACK: In 2014, Bonehill-Paine was convicted of assaulting a police officer, theft, and malicious communications. In 2015, Bonehill-Paine served time in prison for distributing anti-Semitic material. In 2016, Bonehill-Paine was convicted of racially aggravated harassment. “The branch and indeed party are fully aware of my past. Our chairman has been a vocal advocate and has supported me since I became a member of the party. I am very grateful for the support,” said Bonehill-Paine at the time. |
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.
.jpg){kind=link}
