Restore Britain’s candidate in the forthcoming Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, Marlon West, has been temporarily suspended from his NHS role after a statutory regulator imposed an interim restriction following allegations about his social media activity.
Interim order from regulator
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) published an interim decision on 17 July confirming a suspension which will last for 18 months while it investigates concerns. The order prevents Mr West from practising as a nurse during the inquiry. The decision followed allegations about a number of social media posts dating from 2025.
Mr West, a community mental health nurse with three decades of public-sector experience in Greater Manchester, did not attend or have representation at the virtual hearing at which the interim order was made.
Allegations and context
Reports seen by InfoRadar indicate the concerns centre on comments made on social media, including material relating to the abuse suffered by Mr West’s daughter when she was 14. The allegations also include posts understood to target groups by nationality.
"This is what Pakistanis do! After being raped and tortured! My daughter you sicko."
Restore Britain has previously highlighted Mr West’s campaigning against child sexual exploitation and his calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs. The party has publicly supported his candidacy despite the NMC action. Rupert Lowe, leader of Restore Britain, was reported as saying:
"I entirely agree with him - that is Restore Britain policy."
Local impact and practical implications
The interim order carries immediate consequences for both Mr West’s professional standing and his public profile in the mayoral contest. Under NMC rules, such an order is imposed while fitness-to-practise concerns are investigated; it does not constitute a final finding.
- Mr West has worked in the NHS for about 30 years as a community mental health nurse.
- The NMC’s interim order is effective for 18 months unless varied or discharged.
- The candidate has stated he has received no complaints about his clinical practice, and has indicated he stands by his remarks.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Social media posts at the centre of the current investigation were published. |
| 17 July 2026 | NMC issued an interim decision to suspend Mr West for 18 months. |
As the NMC process continues, further hearings or steps may follow. The interim suspension emphasises the regulator’s responsibility to act where concerns about professional conduct intersect with public safety and trust. For local voters, the case raises questions about how candidates’ private comments and campaigning approaches are weighed when they stand for high-profile civic office.
