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Badenoch TWICE wrongly claimed former neo-Nazi was Home Office certified to deliver antisemitism training
Jewish News raised concerns with both the Conservative Party and the Home Office about her claims
Kemi Badenoch TWICE made incorrect statements claiming that convicted neo-Nazi Joshua Bonehill-Paine had been certified by the Home Office to conduct training on antisemitism and counter-extremism, including sessions for police officers.
Jewish News raised concerns with both the Conservative Party and the Home Office after Badenoch initially defended the decision to select Bonehill-Paine as a council election candidate.
Contrary to Badenoch’s claims, a Home Office spokesperson later told Jewish News: “The Home Office does not certify individuals to deliver training.”
During a press appearance in Guildford, Surrey, after communal leaders expressed serious concerns, Badenoch insisted: “Josh has actually been certified by the Home Office to train police officers on antisemitism and countering extremism.”
She added that Bonehill-Paine had shown remorse, was traveling the country delivering training, and that the Conservative Party “believes in second chances.”
Despite further criticism—including from Baroness Berger, who was previously targeted by Bonehill-Paine with antisemitic and misogynistic abuse resulting in his imprisonment—Badenoch continued to defend the decision.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said she had been “looking at this case very closely” as a “judgement call,” reiterating that Bonehill-Paine was “training, you know, it’s certified by the Home Office… training people” amid “a huge rise in antisemitism.”
Jewish News understands that while the Home Office provides funding to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the Preventing Radicalisation Fund, which may include training on Prevent and extremism, it does not certify individual trainers.
The Preventing Radicalisation Fund supports local authorities in addressing radicalisation risks through projects delivered by CSOs, with all bids assessed by Prevent prior to funding approval.
The Home Office spokesperson clarified: “We do provide funding to Civil Society Organisations, who may use individuals to deliver training on preventing extremism that is commissioned by local authorities.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Bonehill-Paine announced his withdrawal as a council candidate.
However, Badenoch confirmed he would be offered a role as an adviser to the Conservative Party’s culture and integration commission.
When asked by Jewish News about Home Office certification, Bonehill-Paine did not confirm government approval to “train police officers on antisemitism and countering extremism,” as Badenoch claimed.
“I can talk about the training; this is typically given by other former extremists and Prevent leads,” he said, adding: “I was required to undertake Prevent courses, for which I have certification.”
Asked why he was qualified to discuss antisemitism, Bonehill-Paine added: “When giving talks and educating against antisemitism and extremism, the demonstration is in my mindset: 1) how I became antisemitic 2) how I stopped being antisemitic.
“There is also teaching about certain signs, symbols and code words used by extremists. Sessions can often be tailored to the group’s request if they wanted something specific, whether security or just ideology. They all form around my story though, so that participants are given a genuine first-hand account.”
Other sources said Bonehill-Paine has worked with a charity addressing extremism alongside some local authorities, but emphasised that this is “very different” from being directly Home Office approved.
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