Party questions impartiality after audience member who challenged candidate later selected as Plaid Cymru councillor

REFORM UK has complained to the BBC over a televised by-election debate in Caerphilly, after it emerged that an audience member who challenged the party’s candidate is now standing for Plaid Cymru as a community councillor.

The complaint relates to a Your Voice, Your Vote programme broadcast by BBC Wales during the Senedd by-election campaign in October 2025. The contest was triggered by the sudden death of Labour MS Hefin David.

Six candidates took part in the debate, including Reform UK candidate Llyr Powell and Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle, alongside representatives of other parties.

During the programme, Caerphilly resident Alison Vyas challenged Powell over Reform UK’s stance on immigration, telling him she had “never felt so unwelcome” in her home town since the party began campaigning locally. Her son also spoke during the exchange, citing census figures showing that 2.9% of Caerphilly residents were born outside the UK.

Footage of the exchange circulated widely on social media and was shared repeatedly during the remainder of the campaign.

Whittle went on to win the by-election, securing 47% of the vote.

Reform UK now argues that Vyas’s subsequent selection as a Plaid Cymru community council candidate raises questions over the impartiality of the BBC debate audience. The party has submitted a formal complaint to the broadcaster.

Party leader Nigel Farage described the development as “the final straw”, claiming it undermined confidence that Reform UK would receive fair and balanced treatment in BBC election coverage. Reform Wales regional director David Thomas also suggested the audience had been “curated” in a way that disadvantaged the party.

Plaid Cymru confirmed earlier this week that Vyas will stand as a community councillor in Caerphilly’s Van Ward, but said she was not a member or activist at the time of the BBC debate. Community council roles are voluntary and unpaid, and Van Ward is the area where she was raised.

Some commentators have drawn a link between Reform UK’s “plant” allegation and the fact that a clip of the audience member strongly challenging the party on immigration went viral during the campaign.

The BBC said it had received Reform UK’s complaint and defended its editorial processes.

A spokesperson said: “As with all BBC election debates, the audience was selected through an established and impartial vetting process designed to ensure a fair representation of political views. All participants were selected in line with our standard editorial guidelines.”

The dispute follows a period of tension between Reform UK and Welsh media outlets. The party declined to take part in the first BBC Radio Wales debate of the 2026 Senedd campaign, prompting criticism from other parties.

Victim tells court collision ended her career and caused lasting trauma

A 75-YEAR-OLD motorist has been given an interim driving ban after driving into the path of an oncoming vehicle near the entrance to the Mayfield Driving Range in Freystrop.

Anthony Davey was driving his Skoda Fabia into the entrance of the Mayfield Golf Centre on the afternoon of Saturday (Mar 9) when he collided with a Hyundai, in which Katy Anderson was a front-seat passenger.

As a result of the impact, Ms Anderson suffered a fractured neck bone, requiring extensive hospital treatment and ultimately leading to the loss of her career.

“It was a clear, sunny day and both vehicles were extensively damaged,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“Following the collision, the defendant could be heard saying: ‘I didn’t see you.’”

A victim impact statement was read to the court in which Ms Anderson described the physical, emotional and financial consequences of the crash.

“The hospital process was long, and when I discharged myself I was placed in a hard neck brace for 14 weeks and was unable to bathe, wash myself, or do anything alone,” she said.

“I am a single parent to two children under the age of 18, and this has been unbelievably difficult.

“I couldn’t watch my sons play football or continue my work as a support worker. I had to rely on sick pay and was unable to return to the job I had done for over 20 years, which has now led to unemployment. This has caused me great depression.”

Davey, of Milner Cottage, Herbrandston, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless and inconsiderate driving.

Sentencing was adjourned until Tuesday (Jan 28) to allow probation reports to be prepared. Davey was released on unconditional bail, with an interim driving disqualification imposed.

District judge says custody was only option due to persistent offending

A PROLIFIC north Pembrokeshire shoplifter has been jailed after stealing almost £300 worth of goods from a B&M store in Cardigan.

Andrew O’Connell, 38, was seen entering the store on Sunday (Jan 5) before leaving carrying two large carrier bags.

“Both bags were full of items, including groceries and electrical goods,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

O’Connell walked along Aberystwyth Road before being arrested by police at the bus stop adjacent to the Tesco store.

O’Connell pleaded guilty to the B&M theft and to stealing a van containing two dogs from John Street car park in Carmarthen in June 2024.

“The van was owned by Richard Bramley, who was a stallholder at the street market adjacent to Marks and Spencer in Carmarthen,” Ms James said.

“He had left his two dogs inside the van, along with stock for his plant stall, and the vehicle was unlocked. When he returned a short time later, the van had gone.

“He was emotionally distressed and particularly concerned about the whereabouts of the dogs.”

Street CCTV footage traced the vehicle, which was later recovered by police. The court was told that nothing had been stolen from the van and both dogs were returned to their owner unharmed.

O’Connell was represented by solicitor Alan Lewis.

“Money was tight after Christmas, so he went to B&M and took the items,” Mr Lewis said. “All of the goods were later recovered.”

Mr Lewis told the court that O’Connell’s offending began around three years ago following the death of his mother.

“This affected him deeply,” he said. “Around the same time, he separated from his partner, and that is when drug and alcohol misuse began, which he is now trying to address.

“Prior to this, he was supervising adults at a care farm, so this represents a significant fall from grace. It is very sad.”

However, probation officer Julie Norman said repeated attempts to support O’Connell had been ignored.

Sentencing him to eight weeks in custody, District Judge Layton said O’Connell’s record left the court with no alternative.

“Your pattern of offending shows you are constantly going into shops and stealing,” he said. “There is no slowdown in your behaviour, so the only option is custody.”

O’Connell was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 in costs.