Reform candidate quits Senedd election after appearing to do Nazi salute

A leading Reform candidate who appeared to perform a Nazi salute in a photo has quit ahead of the Welsh Parliament election. Corey Edwards, a former Conservative special adviser, was only announced as his party's lead candidate in the constituency of Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg on Wednesday. After the picture was published Edwards's party leader Nigel Farage stood by him, conceding the image "looked terrible" and he "wouldn't approve of it" but said he would not be kicked out of Reform. On Friday a Reform UK spokesman said Edwards had informed the party he was stepping down as a candidate "citing issues with his mental health". "We wish him well for the future and hope his privacy can be respected at this difficult time," the spokesman added. It is not clear where the image, which was originally published by the Nation.Cymru news site on Thursday, was taken or obtained. Reform said the picture was taken in 2019. Edwards was previously a special adviser to Conservative Welsh Secretary David TC Davies. Being named the party's lead candidate for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg meant if the party won a seat in the Bridgend and Vale of Glamorgan constituency he would have been certain to be elect