Former Reform UK candidate behind Oxford ‘race science’ event exposed over antisemitic writings

Activism / 9 November 2026 Your Party’s petition calling for inquiry into British complicity in Gaza genocide smashes 100,000 threshold 9 November 2026 Britain / 9 November 2026 Post about melting down Nigerians ‘not grossly offensive,’ suspended Reform councillor claims 9 November 2026 Justice System / 9 November 2026 Home Office consultation into spycops inquiry is attempt to shut it down, campaigners say 9 November 2026 Politics / 9 November 2026 Reform Scotland deputy leader branded ‘disgrace’ after accusing government of ‘genocide’ 9 November 2026 Britain / 9 November 2026 More GP health checks to keep frailest patients out of hospital this winter 9 November 2026 Britain / 9 November 2026 Trident nuclear weapons could be disrupted by industrial action, union claims 9 November 2026 MORE than 30,000 people have signed a petition opposing Nathan Cofnas’s appearance at Oriel College, Oxford, as campaigners expose event organiser’s antisemitic writings. 

Mr Cofnas, a self-described “race realist” who has advocated “racial hereditarianism” and questioned the intellectual abilities of black people, is expected to speak at an event hosted by Oxford Reform Society on November 17.

A public statement opposing the invitation has been backed by MPs including Diane Abbott, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Dawn Butler, Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Zarah Sultana, alongside trade union leaders, academics, musicians and campaigners.

A protest is planned outside the event if it goes ahead. 

It comes as research by organisers Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) have found antisemitic writings published under the name of society president Vittorio Peter Cuneo-Flood, a fourth-year Classics undergraduate who stood as a Reform UK candidate in the Carfax and Jericho ward in May 2026.

In an article in the traditionalist Catholic magazine The Recusant in autumn 2024, Mr Cuneo-Flood endorsed and abridged the work of Denis Fahey, an Irish priest notorious for antisemitic conspiracy theories. 

He described the work as essential reading and presented approvingly its claims that Freemasons and Jewish people were organised forces promoting Satan’s plans for society.

Campaigners said the revelations raise serious questions about Reform UK’s selection of candidates and the ideological character of the society organising the Cofnas event.

SUTR has called on students, trade unionists and anti-racists to join the demonstration at 5pm next week by Oriel Square.

Co-convener Weyman Bennett said: “Nathan Cofnas is not simply raising questions about university hiring policies.

“He has advanced a political programme based on the idea that racial inequalities are rooted in inherited differences, and has suggested that black people would virtually disappear from prestigious positions under a supposed meritocracy.”

Mr Bennett added that Reform UK must explain how Mr Cuneo-Flood was selected as its candidate despite publishing the views he did. 

“Oxford and Oriel College must explain why an organisation with this political record is being given a platform to promote racial hereditarianism,” he said.

“We want this event cancelled. But whether or not it goes ahead…[on November 17] we will stand together against racism, antisemitism and the politics of division.”

The college was approached for comment.

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