Reform candidate sexism row deepens as more ‘degrading’ posts resurface: ‘Women can’t ref, drive or give direction’:
Reform UK’s candidate in the Makerfield byelection has been accused of making “derogatory” comments about women in another series of resurfaced online posts.
An account linked to Robert Kenyon, who is running against Andy Burnham in the critical vote, wrote that women “can’t make references, drive or give directions” and declared: “I’m sexist, with all due respect, but I am.”
Posts on an online rugby fans forum in the 2010s objectified the bodies of European women, saying British women “don’t care” and are “walking around pushing strollers in their pajamas as 16-year-olds with their fat bellies and weird shapes”.
The user also said on an RLFans forum: “European women all have really good bodies and look good” and responded to a post with links to images of women: “Can’t save me from any of the bazookas.”
Responding to a debate about women presenting matches on Sky in 2019, they wrote: “The women on the panel are not up to the job and are just there to tick a box” and said female super league players were “nowhere near the standard” for commentating on games.
These remarks were made by an account under the username ‘post’; That account, in other comments, says their Twitter handle is @robkenyon1 and promotes Mr. Kenyon’s book The Blood Waltz.
In a since-deleted post on The comments came days after other offensive X posts were highlighted by campaign group Hope Not Hate.
A spokesman for Reform UK did not dispute the latest resurfaced comments, instead describing them as “locker room jokes”. In 2016, Donald Trump, defending himself after a leaked tape, was heard bragging about groping women, describing it as “locker room talk.”
But the latest statements were condemned by Labor, which said Farage had questions to answer about the party’s candidate selection.
Labor leader Anna Turley said: “Nigel Farage urgently needs to explain why he is happy to have a man who proudly admits he is a sexist representing the people of Makerfield.”
“Robert Kenyon’s comments about women are derogatory and an insult to the women and girls who live and work at Makerfield.
“Nigel Farage needs to stop electing people with such reactionary views to run for public office for Reform. The only way to stop Reformation’s toxic policies taking root in Makerfield is to vote for Labour’s Andy Burnham on Thursday 18 June.”
The comments are the latest in a series of social media posts linked to Mr Kenyon that have resurfaced, also accusing him of sharing transphobic slurs and Covid-related misinformation.
In a since-deleted post on X, @robkenyon1 shared a suggestive post sent to Carol Vorderman on her birthday; In this post, another user declared that he wanted to perform a sexual act on the presenter, adding: “He’s just saying what we’re all thinking.”
Ms Vorderman condemned the tweets, tells Mirror: “Actually, Rob Kenyon is a misogynist.
“He’s not just a lad, he’s a disgusting internet harasser who became a Reform councilor three weeks ago.”
Mr Kenyon, who was born in the constituency and now works as a freelance plumber, previously ran in the 2024 election and came second in the constituency with 31.8 per cent of the vote.
By-elections on June 18 are shaping up to be a dramatic contest between Reform UK and Mr Burnham, who will likely use the victory to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
A spokesperson for Reform UK said of the latest resurfaced posts: “These comments, which were little more than locker room jokes, were made over a decade ago – long before Rob entered politics.”
“We don’t just care about the organisation’s hit business. We fully support Rob and are confident he will be an excellent MP for Makerfield.”
