In a surprising turn of events, Grant StClair-Armstrong, Reform UK's parliamentary candidate in North West Essex, has resigned after it was revealed that he had previously encouraged people to vote for the British National Party (BNP). The resignation came after Mr. StClair-Armstrong was confronted with his comments made on a website, expressing his frustration with the state of the UK and suggesting voting for the BNP as a solution.

Mr. StClair-Armstrong, speaking to BBC News, vehemently denied ever supporting the BNP. He stated that he was an "angry man" when he made those comments sometime between 2004 and 2007 but now recognizes the BNP as a "disgusting organization." Despite his claims, Reform UK accepted his resignation following the revelation of what they referred to as "unacceptable historic social media comments."

The Times reported that Mr. StClair-Armstrong's comments on the website included racial slurs and a derogatory joke about "female hormones." On a blog called "Joli Triste," he also expressed offensive sentiments towards Scottish politician Kenny MacAskill, wishing serious illness upon them. Furthermore, he shared his perspective on the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war, suggesting extraditing Tony Blair and Alistair Campbell to a country known for torture and execution.

Expressing regret for his past comments, Mr. StClair-Armstrong stated, "I am not the person I was then," and apologized for any offense caused. However, Reform UK's spokesperson emphasized that they considered the comments unacceptable, and subsequently accepted his resignation from the party.

Despite the resignation, Mr. StClair-Armstrong's name will still appear on the ballot as the Reform UK candidate in North West Essex, as the nomination deadline has already passed. However, should he win, he would serve as an independent, detached from the party.

This incident has raised questions about the vetting process undertaken by political parties when selecting their candidates. It also highlights the importance of monitoring candidates' social media activities and online presence to avoid controversies surrounding their past affiliations or offensive comments.

As the election approaches, the resignation of a party's candidate due to controversial remarks is likely to impact the electorate's perception of Reform UK in North West Essex. It remains to be seen how this incident will play out in the upcoming elections and whether Reform UK can recover from this setback.