Reform politcian tells journalist ‘how dare you ask that question’ during press conference ‘defending’ free speech
A Reform Senedd member told a journalist they weren’t allowed to ask whether the party is racist
Reform in Wales has been criticised after one of its Senedd members told a journalist they weren’t allowed to ask a question during a press conference supposedly defending free speech.
In a press conference outside the Senedd today, Reform announced it would not be attending plenary to defend the free speech of Reform Senedd member Joe Martin.
During the same press conference, Martin turned on a journalist for asking a question.
The Senedd speaker has banned Martin from speaking in the Welsh Parliament until he apologises for claiming white people are being replaced in the UK.
Martin’s comments in the Senedd on Tuesday echoed the great replacement theory, a far-right conspiracy theory that the white population is being deliberately replaced by the immigration of other ethnic groups.
He said: “Can I have a statement from your government on the demographic replacement of white British people taking place in the UK?
“Mass immigration and differing birth rates mean that, in just 37 years’ time, in 2063, we will be a minority in our own country.”
In response, the leader of Reform in Wales, Helen Jenner MS, said Reform would boycott the Welsh Parliament in protest against Martin’s speaking ban.
Rupert Lowe, the leader of far-right party Restore Britain also backed Martin on social media, who called for the Senedd to be “shut down” if it was “going to shut down” debate about immigration.
Talking to the media, Jenner said Reform felt they were being “silenced”.
While speaking to the press yesterday, Jenner was asked if Reform is a racist party.
The Welsh Reform leader told the journalist: “Of course we’re not, I’d never have anything to do with a racist party. Half of my family are Filipino.”
Martin, who is thought to be eyeing up defecting to Restore Britain, snapped at the journalist for asking the question, stating: “How dare you ask that question, how dare you”.
Martin’s comment has prompted criticism on social media, with people pointing out the irony of Reform Senedd members staging a press conference to defend their right to free speech while dismissing a journalist’s right to ask a question.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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