News

Reform UK split over ‘rigged’ Senedd selection claims

Published

7 months ago

September 22, 2025

Ajay Owen alleges secrecy, fees and intimidation — Reform leaders say ballot is fair

A FORMER Reform UK hopeful has quit the party after alleging its Senedd candidate selection in west Wales was “rigged from the get-go” — claims the local branch chair says are “completely untrue”.

Ajay Owen, a Welsh-speaking former board member for the Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion branch, posted a lengthy statement online last week accusing Reform of hand-picking favourites before any ballot had taken place.

He claimed applicants were charged £50 to apply and £150 to attend an assessment day, even though “front runners” had already been chosen in secret. He alleged candidates would only be announced shortly before polling day “to avoid disclosing spending” and said members were “too afraid to speak out”.

Mr Owen wrote: “It is rigged from the get-go. Reform have already selected their Senedd Members for 2025 without an actual vote.”

Schools of Sanctuary row

The dispute follows a row in August when Mr Owen named Pembroke Dock Community School in social media posts about the Schools of Sanctuary programme. He alleged pupils had written “Valentine’s cards” to asylum seekers — claims the charity said were “totally false and dangerous.”

Reform say Mr Owen was removed from local WhatsApp groups because of those posts and for issuing statements without approval. Mr Owen insists he was punished for speaking his mind.

Branch response

Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion branch chair Stuart Marchant told The Herald: “Ajay attended only two of the ten branch meetings held to date. He was given every opportunity to speak. His conduct in the groups became disruptive, and his messages were very unwelcome.”

On the central claim of rigged selection, he said: “We are currently inviting applications. Applicants are vetted by headquarters before being invited to an appraisal day. Those who pass will then face a local ballot in November in Cilgerran. No candidates have been selected in advance.”

Fees and compliance

Mr Marchant confirmed the £50 and £150 charges but said they are set and retained by Reform HQ to cover vetting costs. The local branch, he added, holds just £117 in donations.

On claims of avoiding election spending rules, he said: “We very obviously comply with the rules. Once we have candidates, we will announce them – not before.”

Welsh language and membership

Mr Owen also claimed Welsh was being sidelined within the branch, with one member describing Cymraeg as “a dying language”. Mr Marchant rejected this: “The Welsh language and culture should be supported and encouraged – never mandated. I’m proud of my Welsh roots. The suggestion Nigel Farage ‘winced’ at hearing Welsh is untrue. He simply didn’t understand what was said.”

Mr Marchant added that local membership has grown rapidly, from around 250 in July 2024 to close to 3,000 now — though this figure has not been independently verified.

Standing firm

Mr Owen says he stands by his account and is willing to release messages to back up his claims. “I’ve been mistreated so badly by the lot of them,” he said. “I’m open to any party that would love to take me on, or help me with my movement to speak up for the people.”

Following publication of this article Stuart Marchant, Interim Chair of Reform UK’s Pembrokeshire branch clarified that Ajay Owen had never been a board member, but had been assisting the board only.

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

30 minutes ago

May 1, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.

Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.

The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.

The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.

It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.

A reporting restriction remains in force.

Crime

Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.

Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.

The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.

Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.

Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.

The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.

The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.