Tax avoider Scots council candidate axed by Reform claims '98% women lying about rape'

Get the latest Daily Record breaking news on WhatsApp

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

Join us on WhatsApp

A tax avoider standing for a council by-election has claimed the vast majority of women who say they are raped are lying. Stephen McNamara tried to whip up a social media storm by suggesting that “98.05 per cent of women who claim to have been raped were lying.”

McNamara is no stranger to venting online abuse, with Reform pulling him as a candidate during the General Election for saying that transgender people have a “severe mental illness” and their “days are numbered”.

He is now standing as an independent in Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse next month but claims that he was asked by Nigel Farage’s party to stand again for them.

McNamara has claimed his comments were “facetious” and intended to “stir the pot” and added: “There’s an unfair bias against the accused." When challenged that prospective constituents might find his comments offensive, McNamara said: “That’s entirely up to them. I don’t care.”

He also said he would encourage everyone not to pay taxes. McNamara said he was a “proud tax avoider”. He said: “I do encourage as many people as possible to stop funding the government and all their ridiculous laws, and avoid paying tax. There are several ways to fund things. Tax is a glorified version of insurance that should be optional."

He is the second candidate called out over their social media comments. Last week, the SNP’s Marie Robertson apologised after it emerged she had called King Charles “inbred” and “intellectually challenged”.

Reform refused to comment.

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter .

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.