A senior Tory who used a racist slur in a WhatsApp chat has been unveiled as Nigel Farage's latest Reform recruit.
This morning a grinning Mr Farage crowed that Welsh Parliament member Laura Anne Jones had switched sides. The controversial 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 - who was a party member for 31 years - 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.
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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.
Hailing Ms Jones' defection, Mr Farage said: "Today is a big step forward for Reform in Wales." The Senedd member said it was a "tough decision", and said she had not told the Conservatives what she planned to do.
She denied jumping ship because she would lose her seat. Ms Jones said: "That's not why I'm standing." Ms Jones went on to claim she had a "fair chance of getting in" as a Tory.
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