Reform MS in tears over ban for racist language

REFORM UK's only Senedd member has been suspended from the Welsh Parliament after using racist language in a message which broke rules about the standards MSs are expected to follow.

- RUTH MOSALSKI

Laura Anne Jones defected to Reform UK from the Conservatives in the summer.

The investigation by the independent standards commissioner and the Senedd’s cross-party standards committee was tasked with looking into three claims against Ms Jones - falsifying expenses, unfair dismissal of a staff member and use of racist language. Only the latter was upheld.

At the time of her defection, the investigations into her conduct were ongoing and she said she was confident she would be cleared.

On Wednesday, her Senedd colleagues were asked to vote on the standards committee report, which recommended she be suspended for 14 days.

No-one objected to the committee’s recommendation, which therefore passed without a vote.

In Westminster, a 14-day suspension would have led to Ms Jones facing a recall petition, which could have led to her losing her position and a by-election being called. However, the Senedd does not yet have the equivalent mechanism.