News

Reform declines invitation to first Senedd election broadcast debate

Published

2 months ago

January 4, 2026

Party faces criticism after opting out of BBC Radio Wales discussion ahead of May vote

REFORM UK has come under fire after choosing not to take part in the first broadcast debate of the 2026 Senedd election campaign.

The hour-long discussion is due to air on BBC Radio Wales’ Sunday Supplement at 8:00am on Sunday (January 4) and will be chaired by BBC Wales political editor Gareth Lewis.

Five of the six main political parties contesting the Senedd election will be represented. Reform UK, however, declined the invitation and did not offer an explanation for its decision.

A BBC Wales spokesperson confirmed: “Reform did not provide an explanation for not taking part.”

Those attending the debate include James Evans MS for the Welsh Conservatives, Labour’s Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Plaid Cymru MS Mabon ap Gwynfor, Green Party Wales leader Anthony Slaughter, and Welsh Liberal Democrat councillor Rodney Berman.

Plaid Cymru’s Health and Social Care spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, was highly critical of Reform UK’s absence.

He said the party showed “contempt for Wales” by failing to engage in public scrutiny, adding that Reform had “no meaningful interest in addressing the challenges facing Welsh communities”.

He also pointed to Nigel Farage’s continued prominence within the party, despite the lack of a designated Welsh leader, and said voters should question the seriousness of a party unwilling to attend key election debates.

Welsh Labour also criticised the move, with a party spokesperson saying Reform UK was treating Wales as “a political stepping stone”.

They added that the party had “no leader, no clear programme for Wales, and no commitment to the people affected by this election,” contrasting that with Labour’s focus on public services and economic stability.

The Welsh Conservatives said Reform UK’s decision was “disappointing and concerning”, arguing that credible political parties should welcome the chance to defend their ideas in public.

A Conservative spokesperson said: “It raises serious questions about Reform’s readiness for government in Wales if they refuse scrutiny at the first opportunity.”

Reform UK was contacted for comment but did not respond.

Debate rules under scrutiny

The row comes amid wider debate over the role of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in the campaign. BBC Wales has yet to confirm whether he will be permitted to take part in any televised leaders’ debates, despite not standing as a candidate in the Senedd election.

ITV Wales has already ruled that Mr Farage will not be allowed to appear in its debates on that basis.

Opposition parties have argued that Reform UK is heavily reliant on Mr Farage’s profile and lacks a Senedd-level figure capable of leading the party in Wales.

The Senedd election will take place on Thursday, May 7. At the time of writing, Reform UK has yet to announce any candidates.

The most recent YouGov polling suggests a tightly contested race, with Plaid Cymru narrowly ahead, followed by Reform UK, with Labour and the Conservatives some way behind.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

9 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

10 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.