TV presenter praised after calling out Reform candidate’s ‘sexism’ during heated row

A Jeremy Vine show panellist has been praised after calling out sexist comments made by a Reform candidate.

Marina Purkiss was on a panel with Reform councillor George Finch when they began discussing his party’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election, Robert Kenyon.

Kenyon, 41, has been accused of making a series of historic comments that were both sexist and deeply offensive.

During the panel, Purkiss asked Finch ‘Do you want him, because I am appalled by this man.’

‘He is a self-admitted sexist,’ she continued. ‘He says women can’t drive… he slates British women saying “you walk around with your bellies out pushing your prams, but if they were European it would take a bazooka to get me off them.”

‘He is sick… he says women use abortions as a form of contraception. This is the person reform will put into government and shape legislation. Do you understand what’s at risk here?’

Defending his colleague, Finch began, ‘Look, Robert has made comments, previously, and he’s apologised… at the end of the day we’re the only political party that’s putting real people, not politicians…’

Annoyed, Purkiss cut him off, saying ‘Don’t you dare do a disservice to working-class people by saying they hold beliefs like Robert Kenyon. It’s an insult.’

Following the row, a number of people took to X to praise Purkiss for putting Finch in his place.

‘Good on you, Marina,’ wrote @Fi5hface. ‘Reform don’t seem to care what sort of person they allow as candidates, as you suggest, even though he may have apologised for his comments, I can’t believe his views have changed.’

‘She’s a class act,’ agreed @ElgarrsAlt. Destroy most morons that appear on there, want to see more of her on shows debating the idiots!’

‘A masterclass in holding Reform to account by Marina,’ said @donmcgowan. ‘We need so many more voices in our broadcast media like Marina.’

Purkiss also asked Finch to condemn Kenyon’s previous remarks, but he refused.

Kenyon has been accused of making posts from a now-deleted X account using sexist, violent and homophobic language.

The posts were allegedly lewd comments about presenter Carol Vorderman, offensive sexual comments about female rugby players, and conspiracy theories about the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Reform spokesperson said they were standing by Kenyon.

‘These comments were made before he was in politics,’ they said in a statement.

‘Rob isn’t a polished, professional politician and doesn’t speak like one. That’s precisely why he’ll be a straight-talking, effective voice for normal working people in Makerfield.’

Kenyon has also been accused of being Facebook friends on a now-deleted page with fascist campaigner Gary Raikes.

Reform has denied this connection, adding that when Kenyon was made aware of who Raikes was, he ‘removed him from his Facebook immediately.’

Metro has approached Purkiss, Finch, and Kenyon for comment.

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