A Reform candidate in the local elections praised Tommy Robinson, described himself as Islamophobic and said no Muslim should hold high office.

Phil Tierney is standing for Nigel Farage's party in Solihull, West Midlands, and was pictured next to Reform deputy leader Richard Tice at a visit just last weekend.

But Mr Tierney faced questions yesterday over social media posts revealing his backing for far-Right activist Robinson and 'unacceptable' attacks on Muslims.

The West Midlands council candidate signed a petition urging the Government to 'halt the political persecution of Tommy Robinson', referring to him as 'Sir Tommy'.

He also shared a video where Robinson made 'the case to ban all Islamic immigration'.

And writing on X in October 2025, he begged Robinson – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – to hold a rally outside Buckingham Palace to 'show our King the people have had enough'.

The comments will embarrass Mr Farage, who last year publicly distanced himself from Robinson, saying: 'I don't want him to join Reform UK, and he won't be.'

Mr Tierney also openly shared a post on X in July 2025, saying: 'I am Islamophobic.' He reposted an image saying that 'no communist or Muslim should be allowed to hold any office', branded Islam as a 'plague on this wonderful earth' and called for all mosques in the UK to be closed.

A Reform spokesman said the party was 'thoroughly investigating these allegations' but declined to comment further.

Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake called on Mr Farage to expel Mr Tierney, saying: 'These vile, racist posts are completely unacceptable. The public will rightly question how someone expressing such views was ever selected as a Reform UK candidate.'

Reform, which is expected to make sweeping gains today, has been dogged with scandals about its candidates. 

Nine in Scotland have resigned or stood down, while a Welsh candidate was pictured doing a Nazi salute. Mr Tierney declined to comment.