Reform investigates candidates over social media posts

Two Reform UK's candidates in Swindon are being investigated by the party's disciplinary team over "unacceptable" Facebook and X posts.

Terrence David Reynolds shared several Facebook posts saying "we want Muslims gone", while Martin Costello shared a post likening the Covid-19 pandemic to a holocaust.

Rhys Williams, a member of Swindon Stand Up to Racism, described Reynolds' posts as "completely unacceptable" and "deeply racist".

A Reform UK spokesperson said they are looking into the allegations against Reynolds and Costello.

Reynolds said: "Whatever I have reposted on Facebook has been my personal opinion and nobody else's."

One of the Facebook posts from Reynolds had a picture of people in Middle Eastern clothing at an airport with the words, "let's benefit Britain by sending them home. Like and share if you agree", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Williams described the posts as "completely unacceptable", adding: "Reform UK must drop Reynolds as a candidate for the upcoming local elections."

Reynolds, who is up for one of 57 seats in Swindon in May's local election, cannot be removed from the candidate list by Reform at this stage, but the party could indicate Reynolds no longer had the party's support.

The Swindon branch of Reform and Costello have been approached for comment.

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