Tory candidate suspended pending investigation after comparing trans rights movement to Nazis

A Conservative candidate who was set on standing in next week’s local elections in Manchester has been suspended pending an investigation after posting a tweet comparing the trans rights movement with Nazis.

Earlier this week, Alex Bramham, who was campaigning for the Piccadilly ward, tweeted a doctored image of the Dad’s Army opening titles - which famously shows the Nazi swastika progressing through Europe. In the tweaked image, the swastika was replaced with the Progress Pride flag shown making its way towards the original 1978 rainbow Pride flag.

The LGBTQ+ Progress flag, first instilled in 2018, updates the original flag by adding five new colours: black and brown to represent people of colour, and pink, light blue and white to represent the trans, non-binary and intersex community.

READ MORE: Moment Salford crime family rob Liverpool gang

In a statement shared with the M.E.N after being asked why he shared the doctored image, Bramham described the original rainbow flag as a ‘powerful metaphor that celebrates real equality’. He said the Progress flag omitted ‘age, religion and disability’, adding: “We should cherish the original design that includes everyone.”

Following the tweets, it has now been confirmed that he has been suspended from the Conservatives pending an investigation. A spokesperson for Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) said: “The individual concerned has had their Party membership suspended pending the outcome of this investigation.”

In a further statement today (April 26), Bramham told the M.E.N: “I respect the party’s investigation and remain steadfast in serving residents of Manchester, campaigning on local issues important to the community regardless of party affiliation.”

In an additional