Corey Edwards said he had been imitating the character Basil Fawlty’s Nazi impression from the BBC series Fawlty Towers, although he admitted the image ‘looks bad and could be misinterpreted’
A photograph has been shared showing a top Reform candidate for the Senedd election appearing to do a Nazi salute
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has backed one of his party’s candidates for the Senedd election after a photograph was shared showing him appearing to do a Nazi salute.
Former Conservative Corey Edwards is standing for Reform UK in the Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg constituency.
The picture, first published by Nation Cymru, appears to show him smiling while he holds a finger under his nose to mimic a moustache while holding his other hand raised. The image appears to be cropped and there is no context attached to it.
Mr Farage said it looked terrible and he “wouldn’t approve of it” but he said Edwards would not be kicked out of the party.
The party leader said he was impersonating Basil Fawlty, although a statement from Edwards suggested he had also been impersonating Welsh footballer Wayne Hennessey.
In an interview with ITV News, Mr Farage said: “It was a Fawlty Towers impression. Maybe we should ban the BBC, I don’t know”.
Asked if he would be kicked out of the party, he said: “No. He’s a human being.”
“I get the point – it looks terrible. Things in isolation often do. I wouldn’t approve of it.”
A separate statement from Edwards appeared to suggest he had been imitating both Basil Fawlty and Wayne Hennessey, the latter of whom was previously involved in controversy over an alleged Nazi salute in 2019, which he denied at the time. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter
A charge against the Welsh footballer was ultimately found not proven.
Edwards said in a statement: “A photo from many years ago has been shared that I recognise looks bad and could be misinterpreted.
“There is a clear distinction between ordinary use of the appalling gesture, compared with me imitating a Welsh footballer’s use of it, or indeed Basil Fawlty’s walk.“The Nazi regime was the most barbaric ever, and I’d never make light of nor dilute its seriousness. My dear grandfather fought against the Nazis and his brother-in-law was a Prisoner of War. I’m a staunch champion of Judaism, and it sickens me to see the recent openly antisemitic marches on the streets of Britain.“Like many young people, I have made mistakes. But I am proud of the person I am today and the values I stand for, 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.“
A Reform UK Wales spokesman said: “We’re not willing to write people off forever because of mistakes they made when they were young.”
The news came on Thursday – a day after Reform UK published its full list of candidates ahead of the election on May 7. Mr Edwards worked for former Welsh Secretary David TC Davies between November, 2022, and October, 2023.
According to Nation Cymru the existence of the image had been known about “within Conservative circles” for six years or more.
A Plaid Cymru spokesman reacted: “This is utterly disgraceful from the Reform candidate and shows exactly what Reform are about. On the back of one of their Members of the Senedd being banned for racism, and Reform candidates in Scotland facing controversy for racism and fraud – this photo confirms a clear pattern in the calibre of candidates they’re selecting to represent communities. Reform has serious questions to answer regarding their vetting process across the UK.
“They aren’t fit to be anywhere near power here in Wales. Poll after poll have shown this election in Wales is a straight fight between Plaid Cymru or Reform, and the choice this May couldn’t be any different: Reform’s chaos and division or Plaid Cymru’s ambition for our communities.
“We’re the only party that can stop Reform, to elect a government that will put our communities first – not using the Senedd as Farage’s stepping stone to No.10 Downing Street.”
WalesOnline has contacted the Welsh Conservatives.
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