Welsh Labour has withdrawn certain social media posts following the issuance of a formal legal letter by Reform UK.
The posts in question had implied a connection between Reform UK’s Caerphilly candidate, Llŷr Powell, and Vladimir Putin – an allegation vehemently denied by the party. The posts also referenced bribes accepted by a former Reform leader.
Sources at Newyddion S4C indicate that the letter was dispatched under the auspices of the Defamation Act 2013 and the Representation of the People Act 1983.
The Defamation Act provides legal protection against false statements that can damage an individual’s reputation, while the Representation of the People Act establishes stringent regulations concerning false claims disseminated during election campaigns.
Mr. Powell’s prior employment as a constituency caseworker for Nathan Gill during his tenure as a Member of the European Parliament has been a point of contention raised by Welsh Labour, although Reform UK maintains that his employment concluded prior to the alleged offenses.
Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, previously admitted to accepting bribes in exchange for promoting pro-Russian positions while serving as an MEP.
Mr. Gill, 52, of Llangefni, pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery, which occurred between December 2018 and July 2019.
Reform UK has issued a statement asserting that Welsh Labour has “lost their grip, lost the Welsh people, and lost the argument,” and accused them of resorting to “gutter politics.”
Data from the Meta Ad Library, which archives social media advertisements, reveals that Labour had also invested in similar advertisements mirroring the content of the now-deleted social media posts. The library indicates that these advertisements are currently inactive.
A Welsh Labour spokesperson stated, “While we have removed the social media posts at the request of Reform UK, questions remain as to why Reform UK chose a spokesperson for Russia to be their Welsh leader.”
“Welsh Labour will not cease asking these questions.”
This development occurs as the Caerphilly by-election approaches, with polling day scheduled for October 23. The candidates are: Richard Tunnicliffe (Welsh Labour), Lindsay Whittle (Plaid Cymru), Gareth Potter (Welsh Conservatives), Llŷr Powell (Reform UK), Gareth Hughes (Wales Green Party), Steven Aicheler (Welsh Liberal Democrats), Roger Quilliam (UKIP), Anthony Cook (Gwlad).
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