A Harrow candidate in tomorrows local elections has been suspended by the Conservative Party after a series of social media posts linked to an account he is associated with appeared to express support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson and call for “mass deportations”.
Nathan Smith was the Conservative candidate for West Harrow at the upcoming Harrow Council elections on 7 May but comments which come from an account associated with him – described by the Labour opposition as “deeply concerning” – have prompted his suspension.
Posts sent from an X account that appears to be Mr Smith contain comments made over many months, including suggesting the “mass deportation” of Afghans from the UK and support for Mr Robinson after he was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after a man was allegedly assaulted at St Pancras train station on Monday 28 July.
In one post, the account replied to a video appearing to show the alleged incident at St Pancras commenting “Good on Tommy. No doubt the w*n*er deserved it”. In another post relating to Afghan refugees, the account commented: “I don’t think the Afghan government should get a penny more until they accept the mass deportation of their people back home”.
The account apparently belonging to Mr Smith also questioned why a man was raising an Indian flag alongside a British flag, commenting “you’re in England mate”.
But despite the suspension, he will remain on Thursday’s ballot paper as a candidate.
This is because under electoral law, if a party nominates someone as their official candidate with a political party description and a logo, once the nomination deadline has passed the ballot paper cannot be amended – even if that candidate is suspended or expelled.
It comes after another Harrow Conservative candidate was suspended by the party pending an investigation into a series of social media posts linked to an account they were associated with. An investigation was launched into the former candidate for North Harrow due to comments which come from an account associated with him in response to posts by several non-white MPs on social media platform X. The Conservatives also withdrew party support for his campaign.
Labour Party Chair, Anna Turley, has written to Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch earlier this month querying why similar action hasn’t been taken against Mr Smith due to the online posts.
The letter states: “I understand from media reports that Mr Jackson has now been suspended by the Conservative Party. Yet, in a neighbouring ward, Conservative candidate Nathan Smith has reportedly also made deeply concerning statements, including calls for mass deportations, opposing the flying of the Indian flag and expressing support for Tommy Robinson, including in contexts associated with violence.”
“Given the seriousness of both cases, it is difficult to understand why equivalent disciplinary action has not been taken.”
The Conservative Party has since confirmed Mr Smith’s suspension.
A Conservative Party spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Nathan Smith has been suspended from the Conservative Party pending investigation. This process is rightly confidential. Support for his campaign has also been suspended.”
Harrow Labour Group Leader, Cllr David Perry, told the LDRS: “This is the second time in two weeks that Harrow Conservatives have been accused of supporting and endorsing a candidate for our upcoming May local elections.
“Mr Smith’s social media posts included calling for “mass deportations” and indicating support for Tommy Robinson, a prolific right-wing agitator. Residents here in Harrow are proud of the multiculturalism and diversity of our borough. Harrow Conservatives supporting candidates with such beliefs flies in the face of all that.”
