Former neo-Nazi activist withdraws as Tory candidate after backlash

A former neo-Nazi activist has withdrawn as a Conservative candidate in local elections after a significant backlash. Joshua Bonehill-Paine, who had been selected to stand for the party, stepped down following criticism.

The Guardian reports the withdrawal came after the candidate's past activism became public. The BBC confirms he was a former neo-Nazi activist. The Mirror reports that Kemi Badenoch had initially backed him despite his history. The Daily Express describes him as a former antisemitic internet troll who quit after "huge backlash".

The case raises questions about vetting procedures across parties. The Mirror also reports that Bonehill-Paine claimed to have passed Reform UK's vetting process, suggesting the issue extends beyond one party's candidate selection.

The incident arrives as parties finalise their local election slates. The Conservative Party has not yet commented on how the candidate was initially approved or what changes to vetting procedures, if any, will follow. The test of any vetting system is not whether bad actors apply, but whether they get through.