Crewkerne Gazette AI Creator Unmasked as Convicted Hate Crime Offender
Channel 4 News has identified Joshua Bonehill-Paine as the individual behind the anonymous social media account known as the Crewkerne Gazette. This satirical X account gained notoriety for creating artificial intelligence-generated videos featuring prominent politicians like Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, and Andy Burnham. In these viral clips, the politicians appear to sing popular songs by artists such as Amy Winehouse, Barry Manilow, and Elton John, with lyrics altered to reflect political themes.
A Troubled Past of Hate Crimes and Incitement
Bonehill-Paine, aged 33, has a documented history of discriminatory behavior and has served prison sentences for multiple hate crimes. In early 2015, he attempted to organize a mass protest in Stamford Hill, north London, rallying against what he described as "the complete Jewification of the borough." Later that same year, he promoted another protest in Golders Green, an area with a significant Jewish population, using a cartoon image of Adolf Hitler and writing that the event would be "an absolute gas." For inciting hatred against Jewish people, he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
In 2016, Bonehill-Paine was found guilty of racially aggravated harassment directed at then Labour MP Luciana Berger, who is Jewish. His abusive actions included posting messages on his blog that referred to Berger as "a rodent," "evil money-grabber," and "a dominatrix," along with uploading an image of a rat with Berger's face superimposed over it. He received an additional two-year jail term, which was added to his existing sentence.
Claims of Rehabilitation and Counter-Extremism Work
Bonehill-Paine has publicly stated that he no longer holds antisemitic views. He provided evidence to the Guardian that he had successfully completed the government's Prevent awareness course and had engaged in counter-extremism education. In online statements, he has described himself as now holding "a deep affection for Israel." In a YouTube video posted recently, he expressed regret for his past comments towards the Jewish community, saying, "I felt very angry at how I had treated the Jewish community in this country. I wanted to do something to rectify it, so I began working in counter-extremism education."
He elaborated on his efforts, noting that he has traveled across the country to work with colleges, schools, universities, the probation service, and police services to help prevent others from following in his footsteps. Bonehill-Paine told Channel 4 News that he plans to continue this counter-extremism work, aiming to stop people from making the same mistakes he did.
Political Recognition and Backlash
The Crewkerne Gazette's AI videos have received attention from various media outlets and politicians. Publications such as the Sun featured a video showing Angela Rayner rapping to a grime beat during her tax scandal, while The Times referred to Bonehill-Paine as the "Banksy of politics." GB News interviewed him under the alias Crewkerne Man just three days before his identity and past were uncovered.
Politicians including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Adam Dance, the MP for Yeovil where Crewkerne is located, have shared or commented on the account's work. Dance stated on BBC Sunday Politics West that the Crewkerne Gazette's content was a positive example of engaging audiences with politics. However, after learning of Bonehill-Paine's identity, Dance clarified that his comments were "about the transparent use of AI in politics, not about endorsing any individual." He added, "I absolutely condemn antisemitism and harassment in all its forms, and I do not support the person now revealed to be behind that account."
Bonehill-Paine has also expressed remorse for his actions towards Luciana Berger, stating that he is "extremely sorry for the pain and distress" he caused. He mentioned that he has not reached out to her directly because he does not want to alarm or distress her, even after a decade has passed.
