Reform UK suspends Stephen Hartley over Savile support
- Stephen Hartley was found to have made pro-Jimmy Savile posts on social media.
- His suspension from Reform UK prompted discussions about the party's vetting process.
- The incident highlighted ongoing controversies surrounding Reform UK candidates and their public statements.
In the UK, a candidate for Reform UK, Stephen Hartley, faced suspension from the party due to his controversial social media posts that revealed his support for the notorious sex offender, Jimmy Savile. Hartley was listed as a candidate for the Banbury Hardwick ward ahead of the local elections set for May 1. He had allegedly described Savile as a 'working class hero' in a social media post dating back to 2022 and expressed doubts regarding the truth of the allegations made against Savile by numerous victims connected to high-profile institutions. Following the emergence of these posts, Reform UK acted promptly, suspending Hartley from the party and withdrawing support for his candidacy, despite him still being listed on the ballot due to the timing of the suspension. Hartley acknowledged that it was understandable for the party to take action and noted that he might have forgotten to disclose his Twitter activity. The controversy surrounding Hartley's suspension occurred shortly after another Reform candidate, Mark Wade, made derogatory comments about the late Queen Elizabeth II, adding to the scrutiny faced by the party regarding its candidates and stance on various issues. This incident raised questions about the vetting process implemented by Reform UK and the implications for the party’s reputation leading into the upcoming elections.