The photograph surfaced in March. It showed Corey Edwards with his right arm extended and a finger pressed to his nose. To his critics, it was a Nazi salute. To the party leadership, it was a clumsy impersonation of a television character.

Edwards stepped down as a Reform UK candidate shortly after the image became public. He cited mental health issues. Now, just weeks after the Senedd election, he is back. Internal records at the Welsh Parliament confirm that Edwards has been hired as a special adviser to Dan Thomas, the leader of Reform UK in the Senedd.

This is a quiet return. It is also a provocative one.

The Defense and the Departure

When the image first appeared, the party’s response was immediate and defensive. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, offered qualified support for Edwards. He conceded the image looked "terrible" but stopped short of condemning the candidate. Farage insisted he would not be removed from the party.

The explanation for the gesture shifted. Farage suggested Edwards was impersonating Basil Fawlty. Edwards himself later pointed to a different inspiration: Welsh footballer Wayne Hennessey. The party maintained the photo was taken in 2019, long before Edwards sought office.

Despite the defense, the political pressure proved too great. Edwards withdrew his candidacy for the Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg seat. The matter appeared settled. It was not.

A Question of Judgment

Opposition parties have reacted with sharp criticism. Plaid Cymru stated the appointment would "raise eyebrows." Labour representatives were more direct, questioning the judgment of Reform UK’s leadership.

Reform UK has refused to comment on its staff appointments. Instead, the party pivoted to an attack on the Labour government. A spokesperson pointed to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States, citing his past association with Jeffrey Epstein.

"They are in no position to lecture others about judgement," the party said in a statement.

The Senedd Context

Reform UK emerged from the recent Senedd election as the second-largest party. This success has brought increased scrutiny to its internal operations and staffing choices.

For a party attempting to professionalize its presence in the Welsh Parliament, the hiring of a former candidate who became a liability during the campaign is a significant choice. It signals a willingness to ignore external criticism in favor of internal loyalty.

Key Takeaways

  • Corey Edwards, who resigned as a candidate in March, is now a special adviser to Reform UK’s Senedd leader, Dan Thomas.
  • The appointment follows a controversy involving a 2019 photograph that appeared to show Edwards performing a Nazi salute.
  • Opposition parties have condemned the move, while Reform UK has deflected by criticizing the Labour government’s own recent appointments.

The next test for the party’s leadership will come when the Senedd reconvenes for its next full session. By then, the focus will shift from the hiring process to whether Edwards’ presence becomes a recurring distraction during formal legislative debates.