BREAKING: Nigel Farage unveils ex-Tory who made racist remark on WhatsApp as newest defector
This morning a grinning Mr Farage unveiled Welsh Parliament member Laura Anne Jones as his latest recruit. The Senedd member said: "I truly believe that I have joined a party that is listening to the people of Great Britain."
In August last year it emerged she had used a "highly offensive" slur about Chinese people in a group chat. The BBC reported she had issued a statement saying the remark was "unacceptable and I deeply regret using it".
Her Tory Senedd colleague Natasha Asghar said she was "positively livid" and "embarrassed" by the remark. It comes days after ex-Conservative minister David Jones switched to Reform.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
14 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Dad faces jail after handing sensitive information on ex-Tory MP to men he thought were Russian agents
RUSSIA SPY PLOT Dad faces jail after handing sensitive information on ex-Tory MP to men he thought were Russian agents Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A DAD of four who 'dreamed of being like James Bond' faces jail after being convicted of offering to spy for Russia. Scheming Howard Phillips, 65, gave personal details on then-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps to two undercover British officers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Scheming Howard Phillips is seen dropping a USB stick containing information on Grant Shapps into a bike Credit: PA 3 Phillips gave details personal details belonging to former Defence Secretary Mr Shapps to undercover officers posing as Russian agents Credit: AFP 3 Dad of four Phillips, 65, who 'wanted to be like Bond', faces jail Credit: BPM The former insolvency worker, whose ex-wife told of his 007 fixation, was struggling financially after retiring. A court heard he thought it would be 'easy work for easy money' to provide agents 'Dima' and 'Sasha' with a USB stick containing personal details about his local MP. The authorities had launched an investigation after Phillips, who had applied to join the UK Border Force, made contact with Russia's embassy. He became 'deeply involved' with the undercover men, who spoke to him in fake Russian accents, promising '100 per cent loyalty' with 'no questions asked'. He offered details on Mr Shapps, who he had met at a synagogue, and was nicked after handing the USB stick to 'Sasha' for £1,000 in April 2024. Phillips, of Harlow, Essex — who claimed his aim was to 'expose' a Russian agent — was convicted of assisting a foreign intelligence service at Winchester crown court. Jocelyn Ledward KC, prosecuting, told the court that it is possible Shapps will provide a victim impact statement which would be read out at Phillips's sentencing. Phillips shook his head just before being led down to the cells, and appeared to mouth the words 'can't believe it'. He will be sentenced later.
Reuters
14 minutes ago
- Reuters
Zelenskiy signs law restricting autonomy of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies
KYIV, July 22 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a law passed earlier on Tuesday restricting the autonomy of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies, according to a parliamentary database.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Campaigners to challenge Eaglesham battery plant ruling
Mum-of-three Morag Hannan is worried about the possible fire risk from lithium-ion batteries as the 40-megawatt storage plant is set to be installed opposite her home on Glasgow Road. Alongside her husband Craig, they have raised a petition for judicial review against East Renfrewshire Council. The couple have launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of the action, with almost £3,400 donated so far. Ms Hannan said she has 'many concerns about the safety risk as well as toxic fumes' from the site. She believes her family, and an elderly neighbour, would be forced to evacuate towards a fire, as there is no way out to the back of their properties. But they could become trapped if fire engines need to use a hydrant outside their driveway, the mum said. READ MORE: All the latest changes to Glasgow city centre streets explained GPC 1137 Ltd, a subsidiary of Apatura, had an initial bid refused by East Renfrewshire's planning committee last year, when councillors voiced concerns over fire risk, but a second application was later approved. After that decision, a reporter appointed by the Scottish Government rejected an appeal over the first plan. He found the proposal would lead to 'adverse visual effects in a greenbelt location'. Apatura wants to store surplus energy from the national grid in the batteries, which would then be returned when required. It has said the development will 'support the decarbonisation of the energy industry in the UK'. Judicial reviews focus on the process or legality of a decision, rather than the planning merits of the application. It is understood the review will centre on Cllr Paul Edlin, who the campaigners say was unable to vote at the second planning meeting following a complaint that he had 'prejudiced himself' with comments made about the project at a community council meeting. They believe this wasn't the case and Cllr Edlin faced 'undue pressure' not to attend the meeting, denying him an opportunity to 'partake in local democracy'. READ MORE: This is the plan for this iconic Glasgow city centre building Almost 3,700 people have signed a petition which calls for the decision to be overturned. Council officials are currently investigating the required legal steps and the cost of revoking permission, following a motion from Conservative councillors. They previously had a motion which pushed for revocation ruled incompetent. Ms Hannan said: 'The only remedy available to us is to take legal action ourselves and we are going to continue this fight until the decision is overturned.' East Renfrewshire Council is expected to defend its position. A spokesman said the authority is unable to comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings. Campaigners believe the case could be heard in September. The developers have previously said the application was 'accompanied by a suite of technical documents which demonstrate the proposal will not lead to significant adverse harm'. Ahead of the meeting where planning permission was granted, council officials reported the second application differed from the original as more information has been submitted on fire safety and a water tank is now proposed to be created underground.
