News

Reform UK appoint former Andrew RT Davies aide as new spokesman in Wales

Published

9 months ago

October 2, 2025

REFORM UK has appointed former Welsh Conservative staffer Conor Holohan as the party’s new spokesman for Wales.

Holohan, who until this week worked for Senedd Member Andrew RT Davies, has now taken charge of Reform’s communications in Wales. The move follows months of uncertainty after Laura Anne Jones defected from the Conservatives to Reform in July, and after the resignation of Llŷr Powell in August.

Powell quit his post as Reform’s Welsh spokesman in order to stand for the party at the Caerphilly by-election following the sudden death of Labour Senedd Member Hefin David. He had previously stood unsuccessfully for the Conservatives in Cardiff during the 2022 council elections.

Political journey

Holohan is no stranger to controversy. Between 2018 and 2021 he worked for former UKIP MP Mark Reckless, first as a senior researcher and then as an adviser. When Reckless later joined the Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party, Holohan’s name appeared on official party material — including a press release sent from his Senedd email account accusing the BBC of bias in its coverage of the 2021 election.

After Reckless lost his seat, Holohan was made redundant but soon returned to frontline politics. He ran the hard-right blog Bubble Wales alongside former UKIP official Crispin John, who was later convicted of stealing almost £2,000 worth of equipment from the Senedd. He also stood unsuccessfully as a Conservative candidate in Grangetown, Cardiff, in 2022.

Holohan went on to manage communications for Andrew RT Davies as leader of the Welsh Conservatives, before leaving to join the TaxPayers’ Alliance as a media campaign manager. Around Christmas 2023 he returned to the Senedd as Head of Communications for the Welsh Conservatives, despite Labour figures pointing out the apparent contradiction of employing someone who had so recently supported abolishing the Senedd.

At the time, a Labour source said: “Having so recently led the campaign to abolish the Senedd many would see it as an odd move to take a role with a party that is committed to the principle of the Senedd.” Welsh Conservative officials declined to respond on the record, with Chief of Staff Paul Smith threatening instead to complain to the press regulator IPSO.

Switch to Reform

This summer, Holohan was still working alongside Andrew RT Davies, even being photographed in August delivering Conservative campaign leaflets. But Reform’s head of communications, Ed Sumner, has since selected him to replace Powell as the party’s official spokesman in Wales.

A Reform insider said Sumner had “made a full-time job out of hiring his pals.”

Reckless, now himself a Reform UK member, is expected to stand for the party in the 2026 Senedd elections.

The Welsh Conservatives and Reform UK were invited to comment.

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

Published

10 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

Published

10 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

Published

11 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).