A councillor from the Reform party has been photographed with a tattoo resembling a swastika on his arm, although his wife insists it is a symbol of peace in Buddhism.
Andy Arnold, a recently elected councillor in Barnsley, was captured with what looks like a small Nazi emblem inked on his arm in several photos shared on a public Facebook group over almost a decade. However, Theresa Arnold, his wife and also a councillor from the Reform party, asserts that the tattoo actually symbolizes peace in Buddhism and has been misunderstood.
The tattoo is visible on Mr. Arnold’s forearm in multiple pictures posted on the Facebook page of a business named Taattoo in Wombwell, South Yorkshire, which is owned by Theresa Arnold.
The images, dating back to 2018, show Mr. Arnold, who won the election to represent Wombwell on May 7, wearing a sleeveless top while working on tattooing customers. The tattoo is visible on his upper arm in the photos, with the latest one taken in 2024, sparking criticism online when they surfaced over the weekend.
It has been reported that Mr. Arnold has since covered up the tattoo with a new design.
Addressing the speculation regarding the tattoo, Mrs. Arnold explained, “The only context I can offer is that, during his late teens, my husband briefly explored Buddhism and got a symbol tattooed on his arm at that time. He has never been associated with Nazism, extremism, or supported such ideologies. The tattoo was eventually covered up because it was often misinterpreted and wrongly linked to something completely different from its original religious significance.”
She added, “Regrettably, the meaning behind it was frequently misconstrued without understanding its religious background. There is no larger narrative here beyond a youthful decision related to a temporary interest in Buddhism.”
Reform UK has been approached by SWNS for a statement.
