Reform UK candidate refuses to apologise to Carol Vorderman over ‘disgusting’ comments
Mark Mansfield
A Reform UK Westminster candidate accused of making ‘disgusting’ comments about Welsh broadcaster Carol Vorderman refused to apologise when challenged during a live BBC debate.
Robert Kenyon, who is standing in the Makerfield by-election, came under pressure on a special edition of BBC Question Time after historical social media posts about the former Countdown presenter resurfaced.
Green Party candidate Sarah Wakefield said she had spoken to Vorderman earlier in the day and claimed the broadcaster was distressed by Mr Kenyon’s failure to apologise for the comments.
She challenged him to address Vorderman directly on air.
“Carol Vorderman is watching at home tonight, and I wonder if you can look down that camera and say to Carol, ‘You know what? I’m sorry’,” she said.
Mr Kenyon declined to do so.
“People will have probably seen what’s been said, but I’ve not actually said anything to Carol,” he replied.
“I commented on a comment. Don’t get me wrong, it was a disgusting comment that somebody else had written, but I commented on a comment.”
The exchange centred on a 2021 social media post in which another user made a sexually explicit remark about Vorderman. Mr Kenyon responded: “He’s only saying what we’re all thinking.”
When presenter Fiona Bruce suggested his response appeared to endorse the comment, Mr Kenyon said: “It was a crass joke and it’s not something I’d say now. It was a long time ago.”
Ms Wakefield accused him of refusing to take responsibility.
“Every woman in this room and at home has been subject to shaming, whether in person or online,” she said.
“The fact that a man like you cannot sit and do a simple apology, I think, is disgraceful.”
The row forms part of a wider controversy surrounding historical online comments attributed to Mr Kenyon, including reported remarks about abortion and women.
During the programme, he rejected accusations of sexism.
“I won’t accept that label,” he said.
“I’ve got nothing but respect for women.”
Mr Kenyon acknowledged he had “made mistakes” but argued that many of the comments being highlighted were made years ago and did not reflect views he would express today.
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They never apologise or show contrition for their childish behaviour. Yet they demand apologies from others and always play the victims. We know who they are and the dangerous games they play.
Yeah, he tried to really be pub lawyer clever. But the Welsh Reform backing him up shows Reform are not bothered with abuse on women and will try to back each other up when they do it.
Anyone think wines rights will be improved and looked after if they get power? First think they will do is scrap any protections in place and that has been stated.
I’m sorry his attitude to women has ‘rapist’ stamped all over it
It does, but what are YOU apologising for?
An apology would require a very small level of self respect and integrity.
Not gonna happen.
He seems the type who would get arrested, and then make out it was the fault of the police and the courts.
Kenyon has lied on the telly via QT saying he had ‘nothing but respect for women’ after saying ‘I’m sexist. I’m sorry but i am’ in which, there is another lie, he’s not sorry. One of these is a lie, there is no middle way. If he has made the miraculous transition from self declared sexist to non sexist, perhaps he would like to share with the public what psychiatric treatment he underwent to achieve this. It could win him a votes.