Reform UK has apologised after its media team dropped a candidate who had died, mistakenly citing 'inactivity'. Tommy Cawkwell, a volunteer for the RNLI, had been selected to stand for the party in York Central at the next general election.
A party spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that Mr Cawkwell was among 50 candidates removed for 'complete inactivity'. The spokesperson admitted they were unaware of his death and had made an assumption based on available information.
'I am mortified that my lack of care has caused his family pain, and I can only apologise profusely for my mistake,' the spokesperson said, adding they did not know how to contact the family to apologise in person.
Reform UK leader Richard Tice has previously stated the party aims to stand against every Conservative MP at the next general election, expected before the end of the year. The party is also seeking a replacement for Julie Wilson, the former candidate for York Outer, who was dropped.
Other candidates have been removed for liking tweets by far-right figures or making racist and sexist remarks, including comments about Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf, and Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner.
