A new advocate for small businesses in the UK, appointed by Reform, is under fire for promoting controversial ideas on social media.
Kevin Byrne, who recently appeared alongside Nigel Farage at a party gathering, made contentious statements on Facebook. Byrne, the founder of Checkatrade, criticized Covid vaccinations, made anti-Pride remarks, expressed belief in the Loch Ness Monster, and shared content from an anti-abortion group.
In one post from August, he shared an article about a doctor in Australia who faced consequences for criticizing the Covid vaccine, labeling it as “the crime of the century.” In another post in September 2021, Byrne suggested that Covid vaccine passports were a tool for control, claiming that they signaled the arrival of a “Nazi Britain.”
Byrne’s social media activity also included a post in April 2022 condemning parents who consider Covid vaccinations for their children, along with an admission that he disregarded lockdown rules the previous year.
Among his controversial statements, Byrne disparaged the Pride movement in a speech uploaded on YouTube, questioning the emphasis on sexuality. He also reshared a video mocking pro-choice activists by an anti-abortion organization and expressed belief in chemtrails and the Loch Ness Monster.
A source from the Labour party criticized Reform, stating that Farage must address the spread of dangerous conspiracy theories within his party. This criticism comes as Byrne was recently appointed by Farage to lead small business initiatives for Reform. The revelation of Byrne’s unconventional views coincided with the imprisonment of former Reform UK leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, for bribery. Byrne, who sold Checkatrade in 2017 and received an OBE in 2023, has yet to comment on the situation.