Jewish leaders turn down meeting with Conservative council candidate jailed for antisemitism. Should previously jailed offenders, whilst still facing ongoing legal restrictions, be allowed to select

IMO, I don’t think he’s a suitable candidate for that task, but who is going to judge which errors are excusable and which shouldn’t, or who should be given a second chance and who should not.
There have been several examples on this sort of decision making/justification recently.

Kemi Badenoch sanctioned the selection and said "Yes, he is somebody who had been previously convicted but he is someone who has shown contrition for his crimes, has been rehabilitated and is spending every day working to solve the very problem which he knew that he had caused previously. And the Conservative party believes in second chances".

I heard the interview with Luciana Berger on Today this morning. Worth a listen

He runs some nasty AI-generated satirical political videos called the Crewkerne Gazette.

Will have a listen Tuliptree 👍

Bone-hill Payne haas got quite a rap history. Convictions for Burglary, assault, criminal damage 2011, malicious communications and harassment 2024 and inciting racial hatred 2015. Then racially aggravated harassment 2026. 3 years and 4 months on one conviction and two years in jail on another conviction.

In a 2026 interview, so following jail release, Bonehill- Paine said his personal political oscillated between the Conservatives and Reform UK and that he had received a Christmas card from Kemi Bdenoch.

His political stature videos attack the Labour Party solely and support Conservative and Reform UK.

That he himself states his politics views oscillate is somewhat a red flag. Potentially he may oscillate further on the spectrum from his oscillating Reform UK/Conservative politcal beliefs to more extreme far right and find himself back where he started?

I agree with the Board of British Jews that this man is not suitable for a position of trust.
He sounds unstable and has he really changed his views?

LemonJam

Bone-hill Payne haas got quite a rap history. Convictions for Burglary, assault, criminal damage 2011, malicious communications and harassment 2024 and inciting racial hatred 2015. Then racially aggravated harassment 2026. 3 years and 4 months on one conviction and two years in jail on another conviction

I think it was 2014 not 2024 and 2016 not 2026.

ReturningFromExile

He runs some nasty AI-generated satirical political videos called the Crewkerne Gazette.

Thanks. I didn’t know that. They recently started popping up on my instagram page.

He is no longer standing as a candidate.

Sorry for my typo- I did mean 2014 and 2016

Reform Uk said they wouldn’t select him. Has Kemi Badenoch done a U-turn then?

Just checked the headlines- he’s decided to withdraw his candidacy ( at least he now can read the room) and states Kemi Badenoch as offered him a role as a party advisor instead.

While I agree with Kemi Badenoch in principle, Yes, if people make mistakes, they should be allowed to realise the error of their ways and move on. but, but, but.......

......from what I have read, this man was convicted on two occasions, one for posting antisemitic material and then, far mores seriously, for racially harassing a female Jewish MP. As I read it, he spent three years in prison, which means, I presume, a sentence of around 5 years. To get that kind of sentence for what he did, means his crime was considered to be on the serious end of the spectrum. He completed his sentence about 8 years ago,

No, I am sorry, it is far too soon for a man like this to be seeking public office, 20 years after his conviction, it might be possible, but not now.

The best neutral comparison I can make is the case of someone in a financial post who defrauds their employer and serves a prison sentence. That sentence will not bar that person returning to society and rebuilding their career and life, but no employer will give them a job that means they have access to the financial system for a very long time, if ever. Certainly not eight years.

He has provided plenty of ammunition for the opposition to throw at him; foolish to attempt to stand. Two convictions are two too many. Louise Haigh will be tagged with 'convicted fraudster' for the rest of her political career.

ReturningFromExile

He runs some nasty AI-generated satirical political videos called the Crewkerne Gazette.

That's interesting to know. That make sense as they are all aimed at Labour and Reform, not the Conservative's.

Heavens the Tories are truly scraping the bottom of the barrel.

This is a massive misjudgement on the part of the candidate, and Ms Badenoch.
Shoplifters might, indeed, benefit from a second chance. The crimes for which this man was convicted are not that.

Surely the number of convictions, the reasons for those convictions and sentences served should render him ineligible to stand for public office?

I was relieved he withdrew his candidacy. I am surprised at this foolish misjudgement on Kemi Badenoch’s part. I’m no Conservative (no surprises there) but I believed KB was becoming a better leader of her party. Her support for this man has imo, undermined her in the eyes of the general public.
I’m a supporter of strong alternatives to prison and in rehabilitation. The length of hmp this man was sentenced to reflects the seriousness of his offending. There’s no place for him in public office. His arrogance and KBs inability to face reality here won’t be forgotten

LemonJam

His political stature videos attack the Labour Party solely and support Conservative and Reform UK.

His 'satirical' videos are anything but subtle. The cameo of Ricky Gervais v Andy Burnham in a crotch-thrusting competition is over-emphatic - I found it quite revolting. I also think there's a theme of gay-stereotypes running through his videos.

That he himself states his politics views oscillate is somewhat a red flag. Potentially he may oscillate further on the spectrum from his oscillating Reform UK/Conservative politcal beliefs to more extreme far right and find himself back where he started?

Yes, I thought the same. His 'targets' might be different next time but - and this is purely conjecture on my part - I'm not convinced his mindset has changed.

I know he's now withdrawn his candidacy, however I'm a tad surprised at Kemi Badenoch's willingness to support him. I think it was a mistake. Although I'm not a Tory voter I'd begun to think she was a credible leader for a strong Opposition who could've gradually lead the Party back from the wilderness.

It would very naive to think that this idiot has changed his spots.

Yes he’s served his term and yes one should give him a second chance, but not where he can do any damage with his political dogma, which I very much doubt has fundamentally changed regardless of his denial.

I think he’s not an idiot. There’s nothing idiotic about his behaviour. Of course he should have the chance to earn a living - as what is the real question. KB is playing with fire and will only have herself to blame if she gets burned.

Dickens 08.33 I agree.

WWM2- he served a first prison sentence and didn't change his spots as he continued to reoffend- so it is harder to believe he has changed his spots I agree.

I do support the principle that offenders can rehabilitate. However if so I wouldn't expect them to be posting "satirical" videos of the nature, style and the overt political target Bonehill- Paine chooses. It begs the question what does Kemi Badenoch think about his video posts which are ongoing? If she is supportive that lowers my opinion of her values and judgement.

Having a social media presence of those who enjoy Bonehill- Paine's style and content builds a platform of a certain group of people. Then if Bonehill- Paine oscillates back to his original extreme far right, misoginisitic, offending persona, with a solid social media influence and mainstream party support from Conservative party leader makes him potentially a dangerous man.

I would appreciate Badenoch being open about such evident risks, transparent about how she views his on line videos and sets out what mitigations she plans to put in place to keep his online behaviour within resettable boundaries. Then rehabilitation might be more credible.

The UK has a well regarded Probation Service in place to support offenders released from prison. Political parties are not usually the playground for repeat past offenders of crimes of this nature. If Badenoch wants to support Bonehill-Paine and capitalise on his expertise and what he has learned about his offending behaviour as a Party Advisor- she needs to put guard rails in place. Not least to protect herself and her party. .