TV presenter Marina Purkiss has been widely praised after calling out sexist comments made by a Reform UK candidate during a heated exchange on the Jeremy Vine show. Purkiss, a panellist on the programme, confronted Reform councillor George Finch over the party's candidate in the Makerfield by-election, Robert Kenyon.
Purkiss Challenges Finch Over Kenyon's Remarks
During the panel discussion, Purkiss asked Finch, 'Do you want him, because I am appalled by this man.' She continued, 'He is a self-admitted sexist. 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?'
Finch attempted to defend his colleague, stating, '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…' However, 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.'
Social Media Backlash and Support
Following the row, many viewers took to X to praise Purkiss for holding Finch accountable. User @Fi5hface wrote, 'Good on you, Marina. 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.' Another user, @ElgarrsAlt, added, 'She’s a class act. Destroy most morons that appear on there, want to see more of her on shows debating the idiots!'
@donmcgowan commented, 'A masterclass in holding Reform to account by Marina. We need so many more voices in our broadcast media like Marina.' Despite the support, Purkiss’s request for Finch to condemn Kenyon’s previous remarks was refused.
Kenyon's Controversial History
Robert Kenyon, 41, has been accused of making a series of historic comments that were both sexist and deeply offensive. The posts, allegedly from a now-deleted X account, included lewd comments about presenter Carol Vorderman, offensive sexual remarks about female rugby players, and conspiracy theories about the Covid-19 pandemic. Kenyon has also been accused of being Facebook friends on a now-deleted page with fascist campaigner Gary Raikes. Reform has denied this connection, stating that when Kenyon was made aware of who Raikes was, he removed him from his Facebook immediately.
A Reform spokesperson said they were standing by Kenyon. 'These comments were made before he was in politics. 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.'
Metro has approached Purkiss, Finch, and Kenyon for comment.
