An ex neo-Nazi appointed as an adviser for the Conservative Party on tackling radicalisation is facing controversy over claims regarding his government certification for counter-extremism work, reports BritPanorama.
Joshua Bonehill-Paine was selected by the Tories to contest a council election next year but withdrew his candidacy on Wednesday following public backlash. He was previously convicted in 2015 of racially aggravated harassment of former Labour MP Luciana Berger, who is Jewish, and has a record of stirring up hatred against a Jewish community in north London.
Bonehill-Paine maintains that he has left his past behind and is now focused on combating anti-Semitism and extremism. He stated this month in a post on X that he has “Home Office certification for my counter-extremism work,” asserting that it has involved training for police, probation services, schools, and universities across the country.
This assertion was echoed by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who claimed that Bonehill-Paine would facilitate “training certified by the Home Office” for the party. However, the Home Office quickly cast doubt on these claims. A government spokesperson stated, “The Home Office does not certify individuals to deliver training.”
They clarified, “We do provide funding to Civil Society Organisations, who may use individuals to deliver training on preventing extremism that is commissioned by local authorities.” The Conservative Party has been approached for further comment.
In addition to his political ambitions, Bonehill-Paine runs a satirical media outlet named The Crewkerne Gazette, which produces AI-generated videos featuring prominent politicians. While some content is humorous, others have crossed lines, such as a recent portrayal of Andy Burnham in a compromising situation.
He formally withdrew as a Conservative candidate after Badenoch appointed him as a cultural adviser to the party, where he will focus on “how young men become radicalised.”
In a statement, he expressed his intention to “support the work the party is doing to rebuild trust with the British people,” claiming he aims to contribute positively to tackling extremism and fostering social cohesion.
Baroness Luciana Berger responded to Bonehill-Paine’s new role with strong criticism, equating his appointment to legitimising his previous candidacy. “It is a privileged and influential national role. As a victim of this man’s heinous crimes, this appointment is an insult,” she stated.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also called for accountability, saying, “He should never have been a candidate for the Conservative Party, given the harassment that he positioned upon Luciana Berger, a colleague and a friend of mine.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey condemned Badenoch for her actions, labelling them an “outrageous lack of judgment,” while Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson questioned Badenoch’s decision-making and the implications for the Conservative Party’s integrity.
The episode highlights ongoing tensions within the Conservative Party regarding its handling of past controversies as it navigates public sentiment and internal coherence.
