Reform UK Candidate Praised Putin at Salisbury Hustings

Julian Malins, a Reform UK candidate in Salisbury, faced backlash for praising Vladimir Putin at a local hustings event, where he compared Putin to Adolf Hitler and stated that he seemed 'very good' after a 10-minute chat. Malins, criticized for being out of touch, emphasized diplomacy in resolving Ukraine-Russia issues. The controversial remarks were made near the 2018 Novichok attack site in Salisbury, sparking outrage among residents and fellow candidates. His comments led to boos and accusations of insensitivity, especially given the history of the nerve agent attack in the area.