Man who appeared to do Nazi salute becomes adviser to Reform's Welsh leader

Corey Edwards, previously a Reform candidate, quit before the election after a photo appeared to show a Nazi salute. Weeks after the election, he was listed as a special adviser to Reform leader Dan Thomas on an internal Welsh Parliament system. Plaid Cymru and Labour criticized the appointment, questioning Reform’s judgment. Reform said it does not comment on staff. The photo’s origin and timing were unclear, though Reform said it was taken in 2019. Edwards had said he would not be kicked out of the party and later stepped down as a candidate citing mental health issues. His LinkedIn profile describes parliamentary assistant work in the House of Commons and later work for David TC Davies.

"Corey Edwards quit as a Reform candidate in the lead-up to the election after the photograph was published by the Nation.Cymru news website. But just weeks on from the election in which Reform became the Senedd's second-biggest party, Edwards is now listed as a special adviser to his party's leader Dan Thomas on an internal system at the Welsh Parliament. Plaid Cymru and Labour have criticised the appointment, while Reform said it does not comment on its staff."

"It was not clear where or when the image, which showed Edwards holding his right arm in the air and a finger to his nose, was obtained, although Reform said it was taken in 2019. Farage said Edwards had been impersonating Basil Fawlty, although a statement from Edwards at the time suggested he had also been impersonating Welsh footballer Wayne Hennessey."

"In late March a Reform spokesman said Edwards had informed the party he was stepping down as a candidate for the Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg seat, "citing issues with his mental health". Screenshots of an internal Senedd system seen by BBC Wales now show Edwards listed as a special adviser to party leader Thomas. According to his profile on LinkedIn, Edwards began his political career as a senior parliamentary assistant in the House of Commons from October 2019, before later working for former Conservative MP and UK government minister David TC Davies."

"Plaid said the appointment "will raise eyebrows", while Labour added: "This is yet another instance where you really do have to question the judgement of those running Reform UK." Reform said in response: "The Labour prime minister appointed Peter Mandelson, known close friend of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, to our most senior diplomatic role [of US ambassador]. They are in""

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