Welsh Reform candidate stands down after ‘Nazi salute’ photo emerged
Corey Edwards will no longer be Reform’s lead candidate for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg constituency in the May 7 election
A Reform UK candidate for the upcoming Senedd election has stood down, citing his mental health, after photos of him appearing to strike a Nazi salute emerged online.
Corey Edwards will no longer be Reform’s lead candidate for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg constituency in the May 7 election for the Welsh Parliament.
Photos of Mr Edwards appeared to show him performing a Nazi salute with one hand and holding his other hand across his top lip, imitating Adolf Hitler’s moustache.
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, had come to Mr Edwards defence on Thursday, the day after the photos were published by the Nation.Cymru website.
The Reform leader suggested his party’s candidate may have been imitating Basil Fawlty, the lead character from the 1970s comedy TV series Fawlty Towers.
But a day later, the party has now announced Mr Edwards has stood down as a candidate.
A Reform UK Wales spokesperson: “Corey Edwards has informed us that he is stepping down as a candidate for the Senedd election this May, citing issues with his mental health.
“We wish him well for the future and hope his privacy can be respected at this difficult time.“