Reform Uk Vetting Lead Under Fire For Praising Hitler, Assad

Jack Aaron, a former candidate for Reform UK, has been appointed to oversee the party's candidate vetting process despite controversial past remarks about authoritarian leaders and political figures accused of human rights abuses.

In a tweet in 2022, Aaron had described Adolf Hitler as "brilliant" in his ability to inspire people and labelled ousted Bashar al-Assad as "gentle by nature". He also defended Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine, claiming that his use of force was "legitimate".

Aaron's remarks were seen as deeply problematic, especially within the context of his role as a public figure. However, his position within Reform UK has only expanded since the incident.

He is now leading efforts to screen potential candidates for the party ahead of the next general election scrutinising the social media profiles and public statements of prospective candidates.

Aaron, who describes himself as a business psychologist, consultant, YouTuber, and matchmaker, has attempted to clarify his past comments, claiming that his intention was never to praise figures those figures but to analyse their actions through a "psychological lens".

Despite his explanations, the appointment has raised serious questions about the party's commitment to safeguarding its integrity and screening candidates effectively.

Labour MP Josh Simons accused Reform UK of "spiralling" due to the appointment. He said: "Reform are in a tailspin. First, they don’t vet candidates at all. Then they put an apologist for Putin and Assad in charge of vetting.

"If you can’t vet your vetter, you can’t run the country. If they can’t take themselves seriously, why should the public? You couldn't make it up. 'He can’t be racist because he’s a Jew'. Out of touch and out of ideas."

The party's chair, Zia Yusuf, maintains that Reform UK now vets its candidates more rigorously than any other UK political party.

The party leader, Nigel Farage, has been under pressure to address the vetting process within its ranks after over 100 candidates were removed for offensive or discriminatory remarks in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

The right-wing party was recently hit by serious allegations against one of its MPs, including threats of physical violence against the party chairman Zia Yusuf and multiple claims of bullying.

Defending Aaron’s appointment, Reform UK said: "Mr Aaron is Jewish, and sits on his local synagogue council. His grandfather came to this country as a refugee from Vienna and much of his family on that side were murdered by Hitler's regime.

"Reform UK does not disclose details of our internal vetting process and nor staff members involved."