Karen Newman, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, criticised the move, saying “it beggars belief”.
She said: “We have contacted the Conservative Party to set out our concerns and call on them to rescind his selection and review their vetting processes.”
Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance, whose Yeovil constituency includes Crewkerne, said: “Residents deserve to feel confident in those seeking to represent them.
“Public service is built on trust and elected representatives have a responsibility to bring communities together and uphold the highest standards in public life.
“It is now for the Conservative Party to explain why it believes this candidate is fit to serve.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage wrote: “Is this part of the ‘new generation’ of Conservative candidates Kemi Badenoch is promising?”
Meanwhile, a Labour Party spokesperson said: “Kemi Badenoch is selecting a former neo-Nazi who was convicted for harassing a Jewish MP while boasting about kicking out moderate Tories who back net zero.
“It’s a total disgrace.
“This tells you everything you need to know about the modern Conservative Party.
“Under Kemi Badenoch they’re becoming more extreme and more out of touch with Britain.”
