Robert Kenyon, the Reform UK candidate for Makerfield, has admitted to making what he described as "crass" comments in the past, stating he was not involved in politics when the remarks were made. The comments came to light during the current election campaign.

Separately, BBC presenter Matt Chorley issued an apology for misquoting Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Chorley acknowledged that he had "misremembered" a quote attributed to Farage, describing the error as "a mistake on my part."

The incidents highlight the scrutiny facing Reform UK candidates and coverage of the party during the election period. Both Kenyon's past remarks and the BBC's misattribution have emerged as the party seeks to establish itself as a significant political force.

Reform UK, led by Farage, has been positioning itself as an alternative to the traditional political parties ahead of the general election. The party has faced various challenges related to candidate vetting and media coverage as it attempts to field candidates across multiple constituencies.