A Reform UK candidate in Bury has rejected accusations of racism after sharing a ‘satirical’ post aimed at ‘Muslims of the UK’.
Correction: typo in name in par 4 corrected
A Reform UK candidate in Bury has rejected accusations of racism after sharing a ‘satirical’ post aimed at ‘Muslims of the UK’. Luke Broadfoot, who is standing for St Mary’s ward at the local elections on May 7, reposted content by Joe Ward, a digital creator who also shares anti-vax messaging and conspiracy theories.
The post took aim at Muslims in the UK, insinuating there was a lack of integration on behalf of the entire Islamic community. When challenged on the post, Broadfoot doubled down in a comment, stating: “I will say there’s an Islamic takeover happening and I’m not afraid to discuss it.”
Broadfoot was challenged over the post online by Labour councillor Sean Thorpe. Coun Thorpe described the post as ‘puerile, racist drivel’, adding: “I am appalled that someone standing for public office in Prestwich thinks this is acceptable.”
Hitting back at the accusations, Broadfoot posted: “I reject entirely the claim that I am racist. I do NOT condone hate towards any individual or group and I respect people of all backgrounds here in the UK.
“What I will not do is apologise for raising legitimate concerns that many residents share, including illegal migration, border security, integration, and maintaining the character, heritage of our villages, towns and cities.”
In a comment to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he added: “I do not know who [Jay Ward] is or what he stands for so I was totally unaware of his theories or viewpoints. In regards to the points raised in the repost I shared: It was purely satire and it raises reasonable questions on social cohesion and cultural norms both, nationally and internationally.
“As for the Muslim takeover comment, for context, my interpretations of the post were referring to extremism within religious ideologies.”
Broadfoot is not the first Reform UK candidate to come under fire in Greater Manchester. The LDRS recently uncovered a total of eight other candidates who are alleged to have made insensitive comments or social media posts.
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