Former Neo-Nazi Offered Conservative Advisory Role Amid Controversy
Joshua Bonehill-Paine's appointment by Kemi Badenoch sparks questions over Home Office certification claims and past convictions.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi activist, has been offered an advisory role within the Conservative party by Kemi Badenoch.
His advisory role reportedly focuses on how young men become radicalized.
Kemi Badenoch stated Bonehill-Paine had been certified by the Home Office to train police officers on antisemitism and countering extremism; Bonehill-Paine himself repeated this claim.
However, Kemi Badenoch is understood to have twice made incorrect statements claiming convicted neo-Nazi Joshua Bonehill-Paine had been certified by the Home Office.
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."
Nigel Farage questioned whether a financial arrangement existed between the Conservatives and Bonehill-Paine, and if Bonehill-Paine was, or still is, employed by the Conservative Party.
Farage also suggested Kemi Badenoch's judgment is unsound, claiming she is prepared to fight for hopeless causes before ultimately reversing course.
Conservative Party source indicated that Nigel Farage took £5 million from a crypto billionaire without declaring it.
The source further claimed one of Farage's closest advisers served eight months in prison for money laundering and is not being honest about money given to Reform.
Police are reportedly investigating payments to Reform by a company controlled by Richard Tice, alongside donations received by Robert Jenrick, according to a Conservative Party source.
The Conservatives have framed Bonehill-Paine's appointment as offering him a 'second chance'.