Reform’s candidate in the spotlight for the upcoming by-election has declined to offer an apology to Carol Vorderman following inappropriate comments directed at the former Countdown presenter. Robert Kenyon, who is competing against Labour’s Andy Burnham in the Makerfield race, asserted that no offense was intended in response to the controversy surrounding remarks made on a deleted social media account linked to him.
The campaigning organization HopeNotHate revealed that Kenyon engaged with a user who posted a demeaning message about Carol in 2021. When another user criticized the comment, Kenyon chimed in, stating, “He’s only saying what we’re all thinking.” Carol subsequently demanded an apology from Kenyon, condemning his online behavior.
Kenyon, speaking to the Manchester Evening News, acknowledged his past mistakes, describing the incident as a misguided attempt at humor targeted at a small group of followers. Despite facing calls for an apology, Kenyon maintained that the comment was not directed specifically at Carol and downplayed its significance, citing his imperfect nature and the context in which the remark was made.
Regarding the situation, former Labour Cabinet minister Louise Haigh, leading Andy Burnham’s by-election campaign, criticized Reform for insufficient vetting of Kenyon and his social media history. Haigh emphasized that Kenyon’s disrespectful and sexist remarks disqualify him from serving as an MP, calling for his immediate removal as a candidate by Reform.
In response to the investigation by HopeNotHate, a spokesperson for Reform UK expressed full support for Kenyon, portraying him as a genuine local candidate who would represent the interests of working-class individuals in Makerfield. The party defended Kenyon’s character, attributing the controversial comments to his lack of political refinement and positioning him as a candid advocate for the local community.
