Nigel Farage Standing By Reform UK Candidate Over Controversial ‘Nazi Salute’ Photo

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has sparked a fresh political firestorm after refusing to drop a Senedd election candidate pictured appearing to perform a Nazi salute.

The candidate in question, Corey Edwards—a former Conservative now standing for Reform UK in the Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg constituency—has come under intense scrutiny after an image surfaced showing him mimicking a moustache with one finger while raising his other arm.

While the image is cropped and lacks clear context, it has immediately become a lightning rod for criticism as the May 7 election approaches. Pulse Media has the full breakdown on the party's defiant stance.

Farage: "It looks terrible, but he’s a human being"

Speaking to ITV News, Nigel Farage admitted the photograph "looks terrible" and stated he "wouldn’t approve of it," but he confirmed that Edwards would not be removed from the party's candidate list.

Farage dismissed the gesture as a "Fawlty Towers impression," referring to the famous John Cleese character, Basil Fawlty. "Maybe we should ban the BBC, I don't know," Farage quipped, before adding: "No [he won't be kicked out]. He's a human being. Things in isolation often do look bad."

The Candidate’s Defense

In a statement to the press, Corey Edwards claimed the photo was from "many years ago" and was an attempt to parody both Basil Fawlty and Welsh footballer Wayne Hennessey, who was involved in a similar salute controversy in 2019 (a charge that was eventually found "not proven").

"I recognise it looks bad and could be misinterpreted," Edwards stated. "The Nazi regime was the most barbaric ever, and I'd never make light of its seriousness. My grandfather fought against the Nazis." He went on to describe himself as a "staunch champion of Judaism" and asked voters to judge him on his current professionalism rather than "mistakes" made as a young man.

A spokesperson for Reform UK Wales echoed this sentiment, telling Pulse Media: “We’re not willing to write people off forever because of mistakes they made when they were young.”

Political Backlash in Wales

The revelation has drawn a blistering response from political rivals. A Plaid Cymru spokesperson called the situation "utterly disgraceful," suggesting it highlights a "clear pattern" in the calibre of candidates Reform UK is selecting.

"This photo confirms they aren't fit to be anywhere near power here in Wales," the spokesperson said. "Reform has serious questions to answer regarding their vetting process across the UK."

The controversy lands just 24 hours after Reform UK published its full list of candidates for the upcoming election. Edwards, who previously worked for former Welsh Secretary David TC Davies, reportedly had the image circulating within Conservative circles for over six years before it was made public by Nation.Cymru.

The Pulse Media Take

With polls suggesting the Welsh election is becoming a head-to-head battle between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, this latest scandal puts Farage’s "no-apology" leadership style to the test. Will voters accept the "Fawlty Towers" defense, or will this be the breaking point for Reform's momentum in Wales?

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