Julian Malins KC, a King's Counsel and Reform UK candidate for Salisbury, has sparked controversy after making favorable comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin during an election hustings. Malins stated that he had met Putin and found him to be 'very good,' adding that he is 'not the Austrian gentleman with a moustache come again.' Malins mentioned having a 10-minute chat with Putin. These remarks were particularly contentious given Salisbury's history with the Novichok poisoning incident, which involved Russian agents. Malins was met with boos and criticism from the audience and local residents at the election event.
KC standing in Salisbury for Reform says: "I have actually met Putin and had a 10-minute chat with him and he seemed very good. He is not the Austrian gentleman with a moustache come alive again" https://t.co/hKNSmilKUE
'Julian Malins KC, Reform’s Salisbury candidate, was booed at a recent election event after declaring that Putin 'seemed very good'. Oo er.' ✍️ Steerpike
🗳️ | A King's Counsel standing for Reform UK in #Salisbury has come under fire after describing his encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an election hustings. https://t.co/9F2sY5YSNs
Reform candidate Julian Malins KC: "I've actually met Putin & had a 10-minute chat. He seemed v good. He is not the Austrian gentleman with a moustache come again." "How can you in Salisbury, where we had Novichok on our streets, say that?", he was asked. https://t.co/DHkweq8guQ https://t.co/W6bmhzQjc6
“Reform UK Salisbury candidate says Putin 'seemed very good'” Good grief, in Salisbury too, where Putin’s agents released novichok. Needless to say, the residents were not impressed. https://t.co/m6v5DxK4la