A smiling Nigel Farage unveiled Tory Senedd member Laura Anne Jones as his latest Reform recruit duing a vist to Wales
A senior Tory who used a racist slur in a WhatsApp chat has defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform.
This morning a grinning Mr Farage unveiled Welsh Parliament member Laura Anne Jones as his latest recruit. The Senedd member said: “I truly believe that I have joined a party that is listening to the people of Great Britain.”
In August last year it emerged she had used a “highly offensive” slur about Chinese people in a group chat. She issued an apology after screenshots of the conversation were leaked online.
It prompted calls for Ms Jones to be kicked out of the Conservative Party. Ms Jones said last year: “I sincerely apologise for any offence this has caused. The word referred to in the article is unacceptable and I deeply regret using it.”
Her Tory Senedd colleague Natasha Asghar said at the time she was “positively livid” and “embarrassed” by the remark. Ms Jones had previously been removed as the Conservative culture spokeswoman after allegations were made about her expenses.
But a police probe last year found no evidence of fraud. South Wales Police said: “No evidence of fraudulent activity has been found and the investigation is now closed. All relevant parties have been updated.”
It comes as Mr Farage targets taking control of the Welsh Parliament in next year’s elections. Last week former Tory minister David Jones switched from the Conservatives in another blow for beleagered leader Kemi Badenoch.