A second top Tory has been sacked and suspended after being accused of plotting to defect to Reform UK.
James Evans, who was a member of the Tories’ Shadow Cabinet in Wales, was booted out of the Conservative Party this morning to become the second senior member sacked in less than a week.
Darren Millar, the Welsh Conservative leader, said Mr Evans was not “100 per cent committed” to the Tories and dismissed him from his shadow cabinet role.
In a statement, Mr Millar said: “This morning, I took the decision to remove James Evans from the Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet and withdraw the Conservative whip.
“I did so after being informed by James that he was continuing to engage with Reform representatives about the possibility of defecting to the party, in spite of his personal assurances on Friday that he had rejected an approach they initiated last week.
“Understandably, I expect all Welsh Conservative MSs and candidates to be 100 per cent committed to our party and our plan to fix Wales. Regrettably, James was unable to give me that commitment.”
However, Mr Evans has not yet announced if he wants to join Reform UK.
Reform UK already has one MS in Cardiff Bay, with Laura-Anne Jones defecting from the Tories last year.
James Evans, who was a member of the Tories’ Shadow Cabinet in Wales, was booted out of the Conservative Party this morning to become the second senior member sacked in less than a week
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WELSH PARLIAMENT
A Reform UK source said: “The Tories have reached a whole new level of paranoia.
“At this rate, they’ll soon be left with a handful of Left-wing elected officials.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage dismissed speculation of Mr Evans joining his party, adding: “This is not true. I have not spoken to Mr Evans for a couple of years.”
Mr Farage has welcomed around two dozen top Tories to Reform UK since returning as leader ahead of the 2024 General Election.
Robert Jenrick and Andrew Rosindell, who both served in Kemi Badenoch’s Shadow Cabinet, crossed over to Reform UK in a major blow to the Tory Party.
Leader of Reform Nigel Farage and former Conservative Member of the Senedd, Laura Anne Jones | GETTY
Reform UK is now setting a May 7 deadline for any potential Tory defectors to join the party.
A Reform UK source told GB News: “We are crystal clear: no more Tories will be accepted after May.
“They will face electoral wipeout in May, and there will be no salvation.”
Mr Evans, who represents Brecon & Radnorshire in the Senedd, said: “I will take some time in the coming weeks to consider my political future.
WELSH PARLIAMENT
He added: “I have been concerned for some time over the direction of the Conservative Party at a UK level and I feel it no longer represents my conservative values and beliefs.
“Politics should be a broad church of views and opinions, and it is a sad day when the party does not allow free speech or criticism.”
Mr Millar, who claimed he has the full support of Mrs Badenoch, was mocked for the infighting in Cardiff Bay earlier today.
First Minister Eluned Morgan told Mr Millar there was “more infighting in your party than the Beckham family” and said Reform was full of “failed Tories”.
Robert Jenrick had been locked in talks with Nigel Farage for months | GETTY
Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth mocked Mr Evans for “flirting with a party he once called unserious with dangerous rhetoric”.
Mr Evans had been disparaging about Reform UK before being suspended by the Welsh Tories.
He accused Mrs Jones of having no principles when she joined Reform in the summer.
Mr Evans also said Mr Farage will “say anything to get a vote” in a Cardiff Bay debate in 2025.
