Murdered MP's daughter wants Reform candidate suspended

The daughter of murdered politician Sir David Amess has called on Reform UK to suspend one of its candidates believed to have made offensive social media posts.

Ricky Hodges, who is standing in the Tressell ward for Hastings Borough Council, is being investigated by the party for Facebook posts which include saying former Prime Minister Theresa May "needs to be hung".

Katie Amess said: "There is no place in our society for our elected officials to have previously called for violence to anybody, let alone to other politicians who are trying to do what they think is best for our society."

A Reform spokesperson said Hodges' case remained under review and was being investigated "thoroughly".

Hodges, who also had a post calling for the Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn to be "put into a coma", has been contacted for a comment.

When contacted previously, he responded by quoting footballer Eric Cantona, who said in 1995: "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea."

The BBC previously asked Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for his response to the posts. He said: "If what you say is true we will act."

He added: "In time I will go through a process and I will act. I always have and I always will."

Regardless of Reform's decision, it is too late to withdraw or change the ballot papers.

A charity set up in the name of Labour MP Jo Cox, who was murdered a decade ago, said this was an issue which affected all political parties at a time when threats were increasing.

Hannah Phillips, from the Jo Cox Foundation, said: "That language and those actions are clearly abusive and intimidatory and we don't think that they should have a place in public life.

"I think what I would say is this individual case is reflective of other cases that we see across the political spectrum."

The Jo Cox Foundation is calling for political leaders to improve their codes of conduct and candidate screening procedures in a bid to create more respectful politics which is safer for everyone.

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