Reform UK candidate stands down after appearing to do Nazi salute

The Reform UK candidate for the upcoming Senedd election has withdrawn, citing mental health, after photos of him giving a Nazi salute were published online.

Corey Edwards will no longer be Reform’s leading candidate for the Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg constituency in the Welsh Parliament election on May 7.

Photographs of Mr Edwards giving a Nazi salute with one hand and holding his upper lip with the other in an imitation of Adolf Hitler’s moustache appeared online just hours after it was announced he would stand in the Senedd elections in Wales.

Nigel Farage came to Mr Edwards’ defense on Thursday, 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 series Fawlty Towers.

But just a day later the party announced Mr Edwards was withdrawing from candidacy.

The photo, reportedly taken at least six years ago, sparked criticism from opposition parties who questioned the qualifications of Reform candidates, with Plaid Cymru calling the photo “utterly disgraceful”.

Announcing Mr Edwards’ decision to resign, a spokesperson for Reform UK Wales said: “Corey Edwards has informed us that he is resigning as a candidate for this May’s Senedd election, citing mental health issues.

“We wish him good luck in the future and hope his privacy is respected at this difficult time.”

This came shortly after Mr Edwards apologized for the image. Independent: “A photo was shared from years ago that I realized looked bad and could be misinterpreted.

“There is a clear distinction between the ordinary use of the dreaded gesture and my imitation of a Welsh footballer using it or Basil Fawlty’s walk.

“The Nazi regime was the most barbaric regime that ever existed, and I will never underestimate or minimize its severity.

“My beloved grandfather fought against the Nazis and his brother-in-law was a prisoner of war. I am a staunch defender of Judaism and I am disturbed to see openly anti-Semitic marches on the streets of Britain lately.

“I am proud of the person I am today and the values ​​I represent, and I hope people will judge me on my professionalism in how I conduct myself as a candidate and the contribution I can make moving forward.”

Welsh footballer Wayne Hennessey said he did not know what a Nazi salute was when he was charged by the FA for making an offensive gesture in 2019. The accusation could not be proven and no punishment was imposed.

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 elections in which the party is expected to perform well.

His suspension comes just days after Reform was forced to sack a Hampshire mayoral candidate after he likened a Jewish neighborhood watch group to “Islamists on horseback” following an arson attack on Jewish community ambulances.

Chris Parry was suspended pending an investigation after he made comments about Shomrim, a volunteer patrol service, in a series of social media posts on Monday.

He also reportedly described the band members as “cosplayers.” Guardin a post that has since been deleted.

Shomrim is working with Hatzola, the Jewish-led charity ambulance service that was targeted by arsonists in the early hours of Monday morning, providing free emergency medical attention and transportation to hospitals.

Mr Parry reportedly shared a post by former Brexit party leader Catherine Blaiklock, who posted a photo of Shomrim vehicles with the caption: “Can Christian’s” [sic] “Is Britain setting up its own police and patrolling certain neighbourhoods?”

Resharing the post, Mr Parry added: “Remember that these cosplayers have no more jurisdiction or legal authority than ordinary citizens.”

He later shared, referring to Shomrim: “They are a community organization, not a legal entity. Same with Islamists on horseback. But if it bothers you, I will remove it.”

Mr Parry was expected to be the Reform mayoral candidate in Hampshire and the Solent in 2028.