Reform defends vetting after candidates dropped

Reform UK's leader has defended his party's vetting procedures after a string of its candidates were dropped.

At least 12 of the party's general election candidates have been ditched or suspended over offensive social media posts.

Richard Tice said Reform was "the fastest party to get rid of candidates" when they had acted inappropriately.

He added that he would not take any lessons from the Conservatives over the issue.

Mr Tice told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the Tories had "a bunch of sexual weirdos permeating", later clarifying he was referring to last week's Westminster honeytrap scandal.

Then over the weekend, the Mail on Sunday uncovered a series of offensive remarks from three more candidates.

With the number of prospective parliamentary candidates deemed unsuitable now reaching double figures, Mr Tice was asked if the party's vetting was adequate.

"We deliberately put candidates out into the public domain early," Mr Tice said, arguing it was "good that actually we are opening our candidates to open scrutiny from other people".

He added: "I'm not taking lessons from the Tory Party that's got a bunch of sexual weirdos permeating, defending the indefensible which is inexcusable. We know the Labour party is still unfortunately riddled with antisemitism."

Mr Tice claimed it was more difficult for "a small, entrepreneurial fast-growing party" to vet its candidates.

"We haven't got £30m-£40m a year like the Tory Party and the Labour Party have got to do their vetting," he said.

"We operate on a fraction of that. That's why we welcome the extra scrutiny."

The latest Reform candidates to be dropped include Pete Addis, who was standing for the party in South Shropshire until he was removed after making sexist remarks and using a racial slur on social media.

Amodio Amato was the party's candidate in Stevenage but made a series of false posts about high-profile ethnic minority politicians, such as claiming there would be "a Muslim army run by Sadiq Khan".

Meanwhile, Iris Leask has been suspended as the candidate in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine pending an investigation, after suggesting former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace "should be left to die" in Afghanistan.

Reform has pledged to stand candidates in every seat across England, Scotland and Wales at the next general election.

The other major parties have also had to drop candidates over offensive comments but Reform has had to axe a larger number.