A high-ranking candidate from Reform UK is facing renewed criticism for making controversial remarks suggesting that individuals of non-Christian faiths should consume bacon as a way to demonstrate their commitment to Christianity. Chris Parry, the party’s mayoral candidate for Hampshire and the Solent, shared an article expressing concerns about migrants undergoing baptisms in hotel bathtubs to secure asylum.
In a post last October, Dr. Parry suggested that people of different religious backgrounds should eat bacon for a month to validate their Christian beliefs. Another post featured an image of a microwave designated for Halal food only, prompting a comment from the politician indicating a desire to cook sausages in the microwave, despite pork being prohibited by Islamic dietary laws.
In a subsequent post in November, Dr. Parry, a former senior Royal Navy officer, reiterated his proposal for potential Christian converts to consume pork for a month before being accepted for baptism. He referenced an article about the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, discussing the baptism of asylum seekers, emphasizing the need for thorough verification of religious asylum claims.
The controversial statements have intensified pressure on Nigel Farage to dismiss Dr. Parry, who has faced criticism for previous comments, such as telling David Lammy to return to the Caribbean. Anna Turley, Chair of the Labour Party, condemned the views expressed by Dr. Parry, labeling them as completely unacceptable for someone seeking public office and criticizing Farage for retaining him despite the controversy.
Dr. Parry also raised doubts about the loyalty of several public figures from minority ethnic backgrounds to the UK. He defended his remarks as light-hearted and not meant as serious suggestions, emphasizing the importance of verifying asylum claims based on religious grounds. Reform UK has chosen not to provide a response to the recent developments.