In Scotland, Reform have lost four of their candidates so far in less than a week following their announcement, with the party’s leader in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, coming under fire for a foul homophobic joke he made at a Burns Supper in 2018.
And in Wales, Reform, led by former London councillor Dan Thomas, published its candidate list on Wednesday with just 15 days to go ahead of the deadline for nominations.
Nation Cymru reports that Corey Edwards, former special adviser to the secretary of state for Wales, was announced as the candidate for the Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg constituency.
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Edwards worked for the former Tory Welsh secretary David Davies between November 2022 and October 2023.
He is also understood to have held positions as a special adviser to the Attorney General for three months in 2022 and as a special advisor in the Cabinet Office for seven months, while the Tories were in power.
A photograph shows Edwards holding a finger to his top lip with his other arm raised in a Nazi-style salute. It is not known where the photograph was taken.
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “This is utterly disgraceful from the Reform candidate, and shows exactly what Reform are about.
Leader of Plaid Cymru Rhun ap Iorwerth (Image: Lucy North)
“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 have serious questions to answer regarding their vetting process across the UK.
“They aren’t fit to be anywhere near power here in Wales.”
Elsewhere, a Plaid Cymru candidate stepped down after an offensive tweet was uncovered on social media.
Neil Roberts was placed fourth on the list to contest Caerdydd Penarth for the party on May 7.
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The messages were part of an exchange on X, formerly Twitter, in 2021.
He was replying to a tweet that read: "Very against having kids just for the sake of it. Don't have children if you're not capable of raising them."
Roberts responded: “Cum pets are for life, not just for Christmas.”
He announced he was standing down in a statement issued by Plaid Cymru on Thursday.
Roberts said: "Years ago, I made a comment using online slang that was inappropriate and crude. The language I used was wrong, and I take full responsibility for it. I apologise unreservedly for the offence and concern it has caused.
"I recognise that those seeking public office have a responsibility to promote respectful and constructive debate. This is something I have sought to do since entering politics, and will continue to strive towards.
"However, I do not want this to detract from the campaign or from the issues that matter to our community. I am therefore stepping down as a candidate with immediate effect."