Robert Kenyon, Reform UK’s candidate in the June 18 Makerfield by-election, acknowledged in a BBC interview that he had posted “crass” comments online years before entering politics, including a crude response to a sexually graphic post about TV presenter Carol Vorderman.

The remarks, unearthed by newspapers and campaign groups from a defunct rugby league forum, also included a post in which Kenyon described Brexit as an economically damaging project promoted by politicians who “peddled the nationalistic pish.” When asked about the comment, Kenyon told the BBC he had “no recollection of saying that” and said he had voted for Brexit.

Vorderman has said she wants an apology after Kenyon responded to a sexually explicit post about her with a thumbs-up and laughing emoji and a comment saying, “He’s only saying what we’re all thinking.” Kenyon said he had “not made sexual remarks about Carol Vorderman” but had responded to someone else’s post with a “crass joke.”

“There might have been a few crass comments that I’ve said,” Kenyon told the BBC at a pub in the constituency. He said he was “not a polished professional” when asked about his previous use of social media.

MSI previously reported on the dynamics of the Makerfield race, noting that the by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons to allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to attempt a return to Westminster.

Kenyon, a plumber and local councillor for the Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North ward, said voters wanted a “local lad” to represent them — someone who “knows the area, and knows the people and is well in tune with that.” He said if elected, “people would feel like they had a voice now, whereas in the last 40 years they’ve not.”

Reform UK has backed Kenyon and said the party had no plans to investigate him over his previous comments.

When the BBC pressed Kenyon on whether his past remarks contradicted his current political positions, he shifted focus to Labour. “I don’t think the Labour Party know what a woman is,” Kenyon said. “I think that’s a bit more dangerous than a few 10-year-old tweets.”

Kenyon added that he “wouldn’t make any crass comments now” because “once you’re being paid by the public purse to represent them, you’ve got a duty to behave in a certain way.”

The by-election is expected to be a two-way race between Burnham and Kenyon, one of 14 candidates on the ballot.