Overview
- The Conservative Party selected Joshua Bonehill‑Paine to run for the Crewkerne South seat in the May 2027 Somerset council elections, a choice reported this weekend that revived scrutiny of his criminal past.
- Bonehill‑Paine served more than two years in prison after convictions for sharing antisemitic material and racially aggravated harassment of former MP Luciana Berger.
- Party leader Kemi Badenoch publicly defended the pick, saying he has shown contrition and rehabilitation while claiming he was certified to train on antisemitism and counter‑extremism.
- The Home Office has reportedly contradicted Badenoch’s certification claim, and major Jewish groups plus Luciana Berger have demanded the party rescind the selection and review vetting procedures.
- Some outlets say Bonehill‑Paine then stood down as candidate and announced an advisory role to Badenoch on extremism, a development that remains sourced unevenly and has not been fully confirmed.