REFORM UK’s chairman has said he is “steaming mad” about accusations some of his party candidates at the General Election were not real people.
Richard Tice has denied reports his party used AI-generated candidates last week and has claimed they are “defamatory and libellous”.
During the campaign, Reform was hit by a series of revelations about the online activities of some of its would-be MPs, from links to a British fascist leader to suggestions the UK should have remained neutral in the fight against the Nazis and admiration of Hitler’s “brilliant” ability to inspire action.
But now, there is speculation as to whether some of them even exist, with social media users pointing out that some of their pictures on leaflets appear to be AI-generated.
One user’s post that has now gone viral said: “Is there any evidence that Mark Matlock (candidate for Clapham & Brixton Hill) actually exists? He looks AI generated.”
Private Eye magazine managed to track down Matlock who admitted the image on the flyer was partly AI-generated because there was no photo of him wearing the Reform’s trademark turquoise tie, but he has insisted he is a real person.
However, concerns remain over a number of other Reform candidates who appear to have almost no online presence and no sign of any contact details or biographies.
Speaking to the Peston programme on ITV, Tice accused certain media outlets of reporting “utter trash” about his party.
Asked about the claims, he said: “It’s a total fabricated lie that is nothing short of defamatory, libellous and utterly outrageous.
"It's a total fabricated lie... utter trash and garbage... I'm steaming mad about it"@TiceRichard reacts to accusations by the Lib Dems that some of Reform's candidates weren't real people#Peston pic.twitter.com/Sc8kyvrOrY
— Peston (@itvpeston) July 8, 2024
“I’m steaming mad about it.
“To suggest we put forward false names and candidates – one of them was in hospital at the count with pneumonia. He nearly died for heavens sake. These people need to get a grip.”
A series of candidates listed on the Nigel Farage-led party’s election website only show their name and the constituency they stood in, without any information about them, or contact details beyond a generic regional email address.
Under electoral rules, the only details that need to be given about the candidate is their full name and the constituency where they live. They must all have an agent, and be nominated by 10 local voters.
