A senior Reform UK candidate faces fresh criticism over ‘unacceptable’ comments suggesting non-Christians should eat ‘bacon’ to prove their sincerity to the religion

A senior Reform UK candidate faces fresh criticism over “unacceptable” comments suggesting non-Christians should eat “bacon” to prove their sincerity to the religion.

Chris Parry, the party’s Hampshire and the Solent mayoral candidate, quoted an article raising concerns about migrants being baptised in hotel bathtubs to gain asylum.

In a comment beside it on X, Dr Parry wrote in October: “People from other religions should eat bacon for a month to prove their Christian sincerity and credentials.”

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In another post in October, Dr Parry shared an image of a microwave with a sign on it reading: “Due to religion reasons, this microwave is for Halaal food only.”

The politician replied to a comment asking users what they’d put in the microwave, saying: “Sausages.” Some sausages can adhere to Islamic dietary laws but pork is forbidden.

In a separate post in November, Dr Parry – a former senior Royal Navy officer – reiterated his pledge for Christian converts to eat pork for a month.

He quoted a story about the new Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally suggesting churches can baptise asylum seekers. She said churches are not “naive” amid some claims migrants are trying to game the system by converting to Christianity.

Dr Parry added: “If you are naive, you don’t make it to the top of the Church of England mafia. As I’ve said before, potential converts should have to eat bacon and sausages for a month before being accepted for baptism.”

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It has piled fresh pressure on Nigel Farage to sack Dr Parry, who is already under fire for saying David Lammy should “go home to the Caribbean”, as Reform’s mayoral candidate.

Anna Turley, Chair of the Labour Party, said: “These views are completely unacceptable from anyone, let alone from someone standing for public office.

“Given Nigel Farage has refused to sack Chris Parry for over two weeks now, it seems clear that he’s happy for someone with appalling racist and other utterly appalling views to represent Reform UK.

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“That’s what Farage’s Reform is: a recipe for division in our communities, when we should be pulling together. It just shows Farage is completely unfit for office.”

It emerged last week that Dr Parry also questioned whether eight other figures from minority ethnic backgrounds are primarily loyal to the UK.

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These included Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, independent MP Zarah Sultana and Scottish Labour chief Anas Sarwar.

Dr Parry said: “Like millions of others, I am deeply concerned about the de Christianisation of our country. The specific wording of my posts were light-hearted and not intended as serious suggestions.

“However, I firmly believe that all asylum claims made on religious grounds need to be fully verified, with the onus on claimants to prove their sincerity. If woke lefties cannot cope with such banter, I suggest they protect their mental health by staying off social media.”

In response to previous posts, Dr Parry added: “I will and have always called out public personalities and politicians of whatever party or persuasion whom I suspect are not demonstrating a primary loyalty to Britain in their deliberations and decisions, irrespective of background, identity or creed.”

Reform UK declined to comment.