Reform UK Candidate’s Online Abuse of Carol Vorderman Fuels Makerfield By-Election Controversy

Robert Kenyon, Reform UK's Makerfield by-election candidate, replied on 24 December 2021 to a post with graphic sexual language about Welsh broadcaster Carol Vorderman. He wrote “He’s only saying what we’re all thinking” with a thumbs-up and laughing emoji. The X account has since been deleted, and Vorderman has demanded an apology.

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The Makerfield by-election is scheduled for 18 June. Reform UK fields Robert Kenyon against Labour’s Andy Burnham and Restore Britain’s Rebecca Shepherd. The race is seen as a test of Reform’s national appeal.

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• Robert Kenyon – Reform candidate who posted the offensive reply.

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• Carol Vorderman – Welsh broadcaster demanding an apology.

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• Danny Kruger – Reform MP who framed the remarks as private.

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• Andy Burnham – Labour candidate emphasizing local values.

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• Anna Turley – Labour chair criticizing Reform’s response.

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• Angela Rayner – Former Deputy Prime Minister condemning the abuse.

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Carol Vorderman said she “wants an apology … to all others he’s abused online” and called remarks “cowardly.” Danny Kruger called comment “inappropriate” but said it was “private” and would not judge it. Reform UK said it will investigate Kenyon. Labour chair Anna Turley called handling “unacceptable” and a leadership failure. Andy Burnham said Makerfield “deserves better” than controversy.

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Vorderman called Kenyon “a cowardly man” and said the remarks were public abuse. Labour chair Anna Turley called Reform’s response “unacceptable.” Angela Rayner labeled the incident “repulsive misogynistic abuse.” Hope Not Hate’s monitoring sparked wider condemnation.

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A Survation poll of 504 respondents (369 likely voters) gave Andy Burnham 43 % support, Robert Kenyon 40 % and Rebecca Shepherd 7 %. The tight margin highlights how the controversy could influence undecided voters.

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Reform UK says it will not investigate Kenyon’s past posts, while Danny Kruger describes them as private, contrary to Vorderman’s claim they were public abuse. No disciplinary process has been disclosed, leaving uncertainty before the 18 June vote.

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• “I want an apology from Rob Kenyon, to me, and to all the other people he’s abused online.” — Carol Vorderman, Welsh broadcaster

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• “The great challenge for social media for private people is that they use it as if they are chatting to their friends in the park.” — Danny Kruger, Reform MP

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• “Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley said: “Danny Kruger’s interview tells voters everything they need to know about Reform’s judgment.” — Anna Turley, Labour Party chair

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• “It says all you need to know about Reform that they are allowing this repulsive misogynistic abuse to stand.” — Angela Rayner, former Deputy Prime Minister

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The Makerfield by-election takes place on 18 June. Vorderman’s demand for an apology and the unresolved disciplinary question are likely to feature in campaign coverage, potentially influencing voter sentiment ahead of the poll.

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