---
title: "Conservatives select Joshua Bonehill-Paine as council candidate despite far-right convictions"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/conservatives-select-joshua-bonehill-paine-as-council-candidate-despite-far-righ"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/conservatives-select-joshua-bonehill-paine-as-council-candidate-despite-far-righ"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/conservatives-select-joshua-bonehill-paine-as-council-candidate-despite-far-righ.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/conservatives-select-joshua-bonehill-paine-as-council-candidate-despite-far-righ"
category: "Politics"
area: "United Kingdom"
published: "2026-08-05T07:46:07.178Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-04T13:45:24.568Z"
updated: "2026-08-06T10:45:44.116Z"
trust_score: 62
critic_score: 95
hype_score: 30
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-06T07:06:57.603Z"
---

# Conservatives select Joshua Bonehill-Paine as council candidate despite far-right convictions

*Kemi Badenoch defends the choice of a man jailed for racially aggravated harassment of Jewish MP Luciana Berger*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 62 of 100, higher is better. Trust 62 – multiple named sources and five independent outlets corroborate the candidate selection.
- Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Critic 95 – includes extensive quotes, clear context, and specific names, showing strong journalistic craft.
- Hype 30 of 100, lower is better. Hype 30 – mild emphasis but overall measured language.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Joshua Bonehill-Paine, convicted of racially aggravated harassment of Jewish MP Luciana Berger and malicious communications, was selected as a Conservative candidate for Somerset Council.
- Kemi Badenoch defended the selection, stating the party believes in second chances and that Bonehill-Paine is certified by the Home Office to train police on antisemitism.
- Luciana Berger, now a Labour peer, criticised the decision, calling it a mistake and stating she remains haunted by his actions.
- No centre-rated outlet reported on the story, leaving a gap in coverage between left and right-leaning publications.

The Conservative Party selected Joshua Bonehill-Paine as a candidate for Somerset Council in the upcoming local elections. Bonehill-Paine was convicted in 2014 of malicious communications over an anti-Islam hoax that led to death threats against pub owners in Leicester. In 2015, he was jailed for more than three years for posting antisemitic material online ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally. The following year, he was found guilty of racially aggravated harassment of Jewish Labour MP Luciana Berger.

Bonehill-Paine founded and led the far-right group National British Resistance. Despite his convictions, the Conservatives chose him to stand in Crewkerne South. Party leader Kemi Badenoch defended the decision, stating that Bonehill-Paine has shown contrition, been rehabilitated, and is certified by the Home Office to train police officers on antisemitism and countering extremism.

Luciana Berger, now a Labour peer, criticised Badenoch’s decision. In a post on X, she wrote: "Kemi Badenoch, you’ve got this very, very wrong." Berger added that she remains haunted by Bonehill-Paine’s actions. The Labour Party called the selection a disgrace, stating it revealed the Conservative Party’s extremism and disconnect from the public.

## What the coverage left out

No centre-rated outlet reported on the story. None of the digests from the left-rated outlets mentioned Bonehill-Paine’s Home Office certification to train police on antisemitism, a detail carried only in HuffPost UK’s full report. The right-rated digest from The Jewish Chronicle did not include Badenoch’s defence of the selection or Bonehill-Paine’s claims of rehabilitation.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 26 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 39% (10)
- Centre: 38% (10)
- Right: 23% (6)

2 of 28 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-06T07:06:57.603Z.

**Coverage watch:** closed. Checked 16 times; 2 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-09T15:30:16.970Z. Watch closed 2026-08-09T15:30:16.970Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The five left-rated reports led on Joshua Bonehill-Paine’s far-right convictions and the controversy over his selection as a Conservative candidate. HuffPost UK’s full report detailed his history of antisemitic harassment, including his imprisonment and his founding of the National British Resistance. It quoted Luciana Berger’s criticism of Badenoch and included reactions from the Labour Party and Jewish organisations, such as the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which called for his selection to be rescinded.
- The digests from The National, Metro News, The London Economic, and The Independent all mentioned Bonehill-Paine’s convictions for racially aggravated harassment of Berger and his far-right activism. Metro News added that he currently produces AI-generated video content. The London Economic described him as a former far-right activist who had served prison time for antisemitic abuse. The Independent’s digest noted his conviction for harassing Berger.
- HuffPost UK’s report included Badenoch’s defence of Bonehill-Paine, quoting her directly: "the Conservative Party believes in second chances" and noting his Home Office certification to train police on antisemitism. The report also carried reactions from Reform UK, which called the selection hypocritical, and from Lord Mann, the government’s independent adviser on antisemitism, who described Bonehill-Paine’s antisemitism as extreme.

### Centre

- The centre-rated reports agree that Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi with multiple convictions, has been selected as the Conservative candidate for Crewkerne South in the 2027 Somerset local elections. All four outlets note his 2015 imprisonment for antisemitic communications and his subsequent rehabilitation efforts, including Home Office certifications in counter-extremism.
- The Bristol Post and Somerset Live led on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s defence of the selection, quoting her statement that Bonehill-Paine had shown contrition and was actively working to address extremism. The BBC and Somerset County Gazette digests did not include Badenoch’s remarks. The Bristol Post’s report carried Bonehill-Paine’s campaign statement in full, framing his candidacy as a response to local grievances over housing, transport, and SEND provision.
- None of the centre-rated digests mentioned Bonehill-Paine’s 2014 conviction for malicious communications or his 2016 racially aggravated harassment of Luciana Berger. The Bristol Post’s full report included these details, along with his role as creator of the Crewkerne Gazette, a Facebook page posting AI-generated political satire.

### Right

- The five right-rated digests agree that the Conservative Party selected Joshua Bonehill-Paine as a local council candidate in Somerset despite his past convictions for far-right activity. All note his history as a former neo-Nazi activist and his imprisonment for antisemitic harassment.
- Four of the digests lead on Kemi Badenoch’s role: three report her defence of the selection, while GB News highlights Bonehill-Paine’s withdrawal after backlash. The Jewish Chronicle and VINnews include reactions from Jewish leaders, with VINnews specifying that the Board of Deputies and the chief rabbi declined to meet him.
- None of the digests mention Luciana Berger’s exact words beyond her criticism of the decision. The National Pulse and Daily Express do not include Bonehill-Paine’s withdrawal, while the others report it as a later development.

**Settled coverage blindspot:** right. This finding was made after the coverage watch closed.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 9
- high: 10
- unknown: 5
- veryHigh: 4

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [VINnews](https://vinnews.com/2026/08/05/jewish-leaders-reject-meeting-with-tory-candidate-jailed-for-antisemitism) — Jewish Leaders Reject Meeting With Tory Candidate Jailed for Antisemitism
- [IBTimes Singapore](https://ibtimes.sg/who-joshua-bonehill-paine-former-neo-nazi-selected-conservative-election-candidate-91588) — Who Is Joshua Bonehill-Paine? Former Neo-Nazi Selected as Conservative Election Candidate
- [Belfast Telegraph](https://belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/former-antisemite-joshua-bonehill-paine-quits-as-tory-council-candidate/a/159655951.html) — Former antisemite Joshua Bonehill-Paine quits as Tory council candidate
- [GB News](https://gbnews.com/politics/crewkerne-man-neo-nazi-tory-joshua-bonehill-paine-quits-by-election) — Former neo-Nazi activist quits as Tory council candidate after Kemi Badenoch faces backlash
- [Gazette & Herald](https://gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/national/26438318.jewish-leaders-turn-meeting-former-antisemite-tory-candidate) — Jewish leaders turn down meeting with former antisemite Tory candidate
- [ITV](https://itv.com/news/westcountry/2026-08-05/former-neo-nazi-to-stand-for-conservatives) — Former neo-Nazi to stand for Conservatives in Somerset ...
- [Jewish Telegraphic Agency](https://jta.org/2026/08/05/global/british-conservatives-face-backlash-for-nominating-a-former-neo-nazi-for-local-office) — UK Jewish lawmaker lashes out at Conservative Party for nominating former neo-Nazi who targeted her
- [La Libre](https://lalibre.be/international/europe/2026/08/05/les-conservateurs-britanniques-selectionnent-un-ancien-neonazi-pour-les-elections-locales-SEOM7UAA4NAIJOHUVBEIDB74XM) — British Conservatives Select Former Neo-Nazi for Local Elections
- [Daily Express](https://express.co.uk/news/politics/2236228/tories-drop-council-candidate-antisemitism) — Tories urged to drop council candidate jailed for antisemitic abuse
- [INTELLINEWS](https://intelli.news/2026/08/05/ex-mp-urges-tories-to-block-council-candidate-jailed-for-antisemitic-abuse-against-her) — Ex-MP urges Tories to block council candidate jailed for antisemitic abuse against her
- [Mark Pack](https://markpack.org.uk/177264/kemi-badenochs-dismissive-attitude-towards-local-government) — Kemi Badenoch's dismissive attitude towards local government
- [Liverpool Echo](https://liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/ex-neo-nazi-who-racially-34406227) — Ex neo-Nazi who harassed Wavertree MP elected as Tory candidate
- [Evening Standard](https://standard.co.uk/news/politics/luciana-berger-labour-auschwitz-somerset-met-police-b1292402.html) — Badenoch defends decision to allow former antisemite to run for council
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/luciana-berger-labour-auschwitz-somerset-met-police-b3027745.html) — Badenoch defends decision to allow former antisemite to run for council
- [Daily Mirror](https://mirror.co.uk/news/politics/neo-nazi-tories-bonehill-paine-37510491) — Badenoch told to drop ex-neo-Nazi candidate who hurled antisemitic attack on MP
- [BBC News](https://bbc.com/news/articles/c70g9rw58q2o) — Ex neo-Nazi Joshua Bonehill-Paine selected as Tory candidate
- [Dorset Eye](https://dorseteye.com/tory-party-faces-neo-nazi-candidate-storm-in-crewkerne-somerset) — Tory Party Faces Neo-Nazi Candidate Storm in Crewkerne
- [The Jewish Chronicle](https://thejc.com/news/kemi-badenoch-defends-selection-of-former-neo-nazi-as-tory-local-election-candidate-p850h9t7) — Luciana Berger blasts Tories for selecting former neo-Nazi who targeted her as a local election candidate
- [The National](https://thenational.scot/news/26435393.convicted-former-neo-nazi-picked-somerset-tory-candidate) — Convicted former neo-Nazi picked as Tory local election candidate
- [Metro News](https://metro.co.uk/2026/08/04/former-neo-nazi-makes-ai-slop-videos-picked-tory-council-candidate-29294300) — Former neo-Nazi who makes 'AI slop' videos picked as Tory council candidate
- [thenewworld.co.uk](https://thenewworld.co.uk/rats-in-a-sack-meet-the-new-face-of-kemi-badenochs-tories-a-former-neo-nazi-activist) — Meet the new face of Kemi Badenoch's Tories: a former neo-Nazi activist
- [somersetcountygazette.co.uk](https://somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/26434778.former-neo-nazi-running-tories-somerset-elections) — Former neo-Nazi to stand for Conservatives in Somerset local elections
- [Bristol Post](https://bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/former-neo-nazi-stand-conservatives-11091994) — Former neo-Nazi to stand for Conservatives in Somerset local elections
- [Somerset Live](https://somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/former-neo-nazi-stand-conservatives-11091994) — Former neo-Nazi to stand for Conservatives in Somerset local elections
- [The London Economic](https://thelondoneconomic.com/politics/former-far-right-activist-selected-as-tory-candidate-in-council-election-408439) — Former far-right activist selected as Tory candidate in council election
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/conservative-candidate-antisemitism-joshua-bonehill-paine-nazi-b3027015.html) — Convicted former far-right activist standing as Tory candidate in local elections
- [HuffPost UK](https://huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/badenoch-slammed-former-neo-nazi-candidate_uk_6a719392e4b095f5230008bc) — Badenoch Slammed After Former Neo-Nazi Activist Chosen As Council Election Candidate
- [The National Pulse](https://thenationalpulse.com/2026/08/03/kemi-badenochs-conservative-party-stands-former-neo-nazi-as-local-candidate) — Kemi Badenoch’s Conservative Party Stands Former Neo-Nazi as Local Candidate.

## Questions

**What was Joshua Bonehill-Paine convicted of?**

Joshua Bonehill-Paine was convicted in 2014 of malicious communications over an anti-Islam hoax and in 2016 of racially aggravated harassment of Jewish MP Luciana Berger. He was jailed in 2015 for posting antisemitic material online ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally. These convictions were reported by HuffPost UK and corroborated in digests from other outlets.

**Why did Kemi Badenoch defend Joshua Bonehill-Paine’s selection?**

Kemi Badenoch defended the selection by stating the Conservative Party believes in second chances. She claimed Bonehill-Paine has shown contrition, been rehabilitated, and is certified by the Home Office to train police on antisemitism and countering extremism. This defence was reported by HuffPost UK.

**Which outlets reported on the story?**

The story was reported by five left-rated outlets, HuffPost UK, The National, Metro News, The London Economic, and The Independent, and one right-rated outlet, The Jewish Chronicle. No centre-rated outlet covered the selection of Joshua Bonehill-Paine as a Conservative candidate.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/conservatives-select-joshua-bonehill-paine-as-council-candidate-despite-far-righ. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Conservatives select Joshua Bonehill-Paine as council candidate despite far-right convictions", https://mediabias.news/politics/conservatives-select-joshua-bonehill-paine-as-council-candidate-despite-far-righ