Reform UK candidate called the late Queen a scrounger

One of Reform UK’s local election candidates accused Queen Elizabeth II of scrounging” and sponging” and called for her to be jailed, The Independent can reveal.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL , DAVID MADDOX

Mark Wade, council candidate in Chorley Rural West, marked Her Majesty becoming the longest-reigning British monarch with a post on Facebook saying she had spent “a long time scrounging”.

He also commented on the late Queen’s visit to Crumlin Road Gaol in north Belfast: “The Queen has just entered an old jail in Belfast, let’s shut the gates and get the rest of her sponging family to join her.”

Following the announcement the Prince and Princess of Wales were expecting their second child, Charlotte, Mr Wade said: “Yet another royal scrounger on the way, I wonder how much this one will cost us?”

The Independent contacted Mr Wade for comment.

Critics called the remarks “offensive” and said Mr Wade should be sacked, adding that his candidacy makes a mockery of Nigel Farage’s claims Reform is the party of British patriots.