Last Updated on 27 May 2026 by Alex/Rose Cocker
Reform Senedd candidate Corey Edwards, who stepped down from the election after a photo emerged of him doing a Nazi salute, is now, apparently, the special adviser for the far-right party’s Welsh leader.
Mere hours after Reform announced him as a candidate for Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan, a photo of Edwards performing a Nazi salute (complete with a finger in place of a Hitler-style moustache) came to light.
The picture was reportedly taken more than six years ago. Edwards ‘apologised’ publicly but also tried to play it down as a joke. He even attempted a feeble swipe at anti-Zionist protests.
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 anti-semitic marches on the streets of Britain.
Utterly shameless. He fits right in with the Reform lot.
Senedd collagues volunteer to be bullied instead
Fortunately, party leader, Nigel Farage, is (allegedly) no stranger to the occasional youthful Nazi salute-and-heil. He merely stated that he “wouldn’t approve of it”, but he wouldn’t kick Edwards out of the party.
However, in what was hopefully a relief for the people of Bridgend, Edwards ducked out of his own accord. A Reform UK Wales spokesperson said:
Corey Edwards has informed us that he is stepping down as a candidate for the Senedd election this May, citing issues with his mental health.
We wish him well for the future and hope his privacy can be respected at this difficult time.
The party also said it would provide mental health support to the poor wee racist.
However, now it seems the promised mental health support has taken the form of a shiny new job as a special adviser for Reform’s Senedd leader, Dan Thomas.
Fellow Reform Senedd appointee Llŷr Powell rushed to Edward’s defence, arguing that he would rather people focus their criticisms on him than staff behind the scenes.
I’m big enough, with my shoulders open, so is Dan Thomas.
I think leave staff alone. I don’t like this bullying culture that is here in Cardiff Bay. I’m not prepared to stand for it.
If the media and other critics want to carry on, fine.
You know what, that’s awfully big of Powell, and we’ll gladly take him up on it.
Richard Gurner, editor of the Caerphilly Observer, personally credited Powell with tanking Reform’s chances at dominating Wales.
As part of a BBC debate, a member of the public charged Powell and his party with making her mixed-race family feel unwelcome in the area. This, according to Gurner, was “the line in the sand” for his community.
Plaid Cymru went on to beat Reform 43 seats to 34, helped along by Powell being a desperately uncharismatic, racist tosser.
‘Reform have shown their true colours’
Speaking of Plaid Cymru, the victorious Welsh party had words to say about Edward’s appointment:
Once again, Reform have shown their true colours. It’s no wonder the people of Wales decidedly chose hope with Plaid Cymru over Reform’s division.
Likewise, a spokesperson for Welsh Labour also chimed in, stating that their far-right counterparts “haven’t learned their lesson and their values do not align with the people of Wales”.
Reform UK didn’t have the decency to deem Corey Edwards unfit to be a candidate. He stepped back himself after the truth came out. Now they think he is fit to advise their leader in Wales.
Of course, it’s hardly surprising that Reform has given a racist dropout a cushy new job. Back in April, the Canary reported that suspended bigot Adam Mitula had continued working as an election agent for Reform’s Matt Goodwin. Hell, the party even deployed him in a public-facing campaign role.
If Edwards tosses in a few racist social media rants, Reform might even let him run for election again next time. A history of vile posts is virtually the party’s only selection criterion at this point.
Featured image via the Canary
