Reform Candidate Issues Apology Over Controversial Nazi Salute Photograph
A Reform UK candidate for the upcoming Welsh Senedd elections has publicly apologised after a photograph surfaced online showing him appearing to perform a Nazi salute. The image of Corey Edwards emerged just hours after he was announced as the party's lead candidate for the Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg constituency in the elections scheduled for May.
Swift Backlash and Political Condemnation
The photograph, which reportedly dates back at least six years and was first revealed by Nation Cymru, shows Mr Edwards smiling while holding a finger to his nose and raising his hand in a gesture resembling the Nazi salute. The timing proved particularly damaging, with the picture circulating widely within 24 hours of his candidacy announcement.
Opposition parties were quick to condemn the image. A Plaid Cymru spokesperson described it as "utterly disgraceful" and questioned the calibre of candidates being selected by Nigel Farage's party. The spokesperson added that the photo "confirms a clear pattern in the calibre of candidates they're selecting to represent communities" and stated that Reform has "serious questions to answer regarding their vetting process across the UK."
Edwards' Explanation and Apology
When approached by The Independent, Reform Wales issued a statement on Mr Edwards' behalf. In it, he acknowledged that the photo "looks bad and could be misinterpreted" but claimed it was taken "many years ago." He drew a distinction between ordinary use of what he called the "appalling gesture" and his own actions, which he said were imitating either a Welsh footballer's use of it or Basil Fawlty's famous walk from the television series Fawlty Towers.
Mr Edwards strongly condemned the Nazi regime, describing it as "the most barbaric ever" and stating he would never make light of or dilute its seriousness. He revealed personal connections to the Second World War, noting that his grandfather fought against the Nazis and his grandfather's brother-in-law was a prisoner of war. He further described himself as a "staunch champion of Judaism" and expressed disgust at recent antisemitic marches in Britain.
"I am proud of the person I am today and the values I stand for," Mr Edwards stated, "and I hope that people judge me on the professionalism of how I conduct myself as a candidate and the contribution I can make going forward."
Reform's Response and Vetting Concerns
A Reform UK Wales spokesperson defended the candidate, stating: "We're not willing to write people off forever because of mistakes they made when they were young people." This response comes despite Nigel Farage having previously told Politics Home that candidate vetting would be "absolutely key" for the party.
The controversy adds to a series of incidents involving Reform candidates in Wales. In December, Reform Senedd member Laura Anne Jones was suspended for two weeks by the parliament for using offensive language about Chinese people in a WhatsApp group discussion. Also in December, former leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill, was jailed for ten and a half years after being convicted of taking bribes to make pro-Russia statements while serving as a member of the European Parliament.
Background and Electoral Context
Corey Edwards is one of 96 candidates put forward by Reform for the Welsh parliament election, where the party is expected to perform well. According to his LinkedIn profile, the university law graduate worked as a special adviser to the government's Cabinet Office in 2022, before working for the then-Attorney General. He later served as an employee for former Welsh Secretary David TC Davies between November 2022 and October 2023.
Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas has announced the full list of candidates for the Senedd election, which will take place on 7 May. Writing on social media, he claimed: "After 100 years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next: Common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru."
The emergence of the photograph has cast a shadow over these electoral ambitions, raising questions about candidate selection processes and the party's ability to manage controversies during a critical election period.
