Ant Middleton backs Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon in Makerfield byelection

Endorsement by former soldier, despite party’s apparent efforts to distance itself from him, is likely bid to attract Restore Britain voters

Reform UK’s candidate in the Makerfield byelection has been criticised for welcoming an endorsement by Ant Middleton, the former soldier and TV presenter who the party had distanced itself from over his increasingly extreme views.

Robert Kenyon shared a video of himself with Middleton, who he described as “one of my heroes”. Middleton has previously said “well done Southampton” in the wake of violence after the murder of Henry Nowak, and has repeatedly used his own X account to make anti-Muslim comments.

Middleton’s statements have included saying “You can’t be a Muslim and be in charge of a Christian nation/city” and that “1st, 2nd & 3rd generation immigrants should not hold top-tier government positions”.

The former special forces soldier had previously addressed the Reform UK conference in 2024 and was mooted as a potential London mayoral candidate.

But he appeared to to be cut loose by the party, which sought to distance itself from him as he adopted positions that were increasingly to the far right. Middleton has appeared alongside the far-right activist known as Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, at rallies organised by Robinson.

However, the party’s welcome for Middleton in Makerfield may be motivated by the pressure it is coming under in the same contest from Restore Britain, the party launched by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe earlier this year.

Anna Turley MP, the Labour party chair and a Cabinet Office minister, said that the endorsement showed: “Reform have no shame.”