Reform UK candidate pictured appearing to do Nazi salute appointed adviser to party’s Welsh leader
A Reform England candidate who was forced to resign after being photographed giving a Nazi salute has been appointed a special adviser to the party’s leader in Wales.
A photo of Corey Edwards giving a Nazi salute has surfaced online just hours after he announced he was the Reform UK candidate in May’s Welsh parliamentary election.
The photo, reportedly taken at least six years ago, sparked criticism from opposition parties who questioned the qualifications of the party’s candidates, with Plaid Cymru describing the photo as “utterly disgraceful”.
Mr Edwards apologized for the image Independent the photo “looks bad and could be misinterpreted”.
“There is a clear difference between the ordinary use of this terrifying gesture and my imitation of a Welsh footballer using it or Basil Fawlty’s walk,” he said.
But months after becoming Reform’s candidate at the election, it emerged that he had been appointed special adviser to the party’s leader in the Senedd, Dan Thomas.
Welsh Labor said the appointment showed that the Reformation had “not learned its lessons and its values are not aligned with the people of Wales”.
“Reform UK did not have the decency to find Corey Edwards unfit to stand. He backed down after the truth came out. They now consider him fit to advise their leaders in Wales,” a spokesman said.
Plaid Cymru said the appointment would “raise eyebrows” and added: “Once again, Reformation has shown its true colours. It is no surprise that the people of Wales have decidedly chosen hope with Plaid Cymru over the division of Reformation.”
Independent Reform UK and Mr Edwards have been contacted for comment.
Reform Senedd member Llŷr Powell defended the appointment, accusing other parties of trying to “smear” Mr Edwards, adding: “I don’t think people in glass houses should be throwing stones.”
He told ITV: “And I’d rather people focus on their criticism of me rather than focus on the staff behind the scenes. I’m big enough and my shoulders are clear, and so is Dan Thomas.”
“I think you should leave the staff alone. I don’t like this culture of bullying in Cardiff Bay. I’m not prepared to put up with it. If the media and other critics want to continue, that’s fine.”
Mr Edwards, who worked for former Wales secretary David TC Davies between November 2022 and October 2023, was one of 96 candidates put forward by Reform for the Welsh parliamentary election.
Nigel Farage came to Mr Edwards’ defense the day after the photos were published on the Nation.Cymru website, suggesting his party’s candidate might be imitating Basil Fawlty, the lead character in the 1970s comedy TV series. Fawlty Towers.
Announcing Mr Edwards’ decision to resign, a UK Welsh Reform spokesman said he did so due to issues with his mental health at the time.
A spokesman said: “We wish him every success in the future and hope his privacy is respected at this difficult time.”
