Reform MS says online post threatened him and his family
Mark Mansfield
A Reform UK Member of the Senedd has revealed further details of an online post threatening him and his family in an article reflecting on his first weeks in Welsh politics.
Writing in the Daily Express, Cai Parry-Jones said he was contacted by Senedd security after an online post was deemed serious enough to be referred to police. He said he later discovered someone had written that they would kill him and his family if he “stopped democracy in Wales”.
The Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf MS said the incident happened just weeks after his election to the Senedd in May.
Describing his early experiences as a newly elected politician, Mr Parry-Jones said he received a call from Senedd security informing him that a threat made on social media was sufficiently serious for it to be passed to South Wales Police.
He wrote: “Eventually I found out that a keyboard warrior had said they would kill me and my family if I stopped democracy in Wales.”
Mr Parry-Jones added: “Since stopping democracy was not really an issue that my new constituents were urging me to take forward, I don’t think the person needed to worry.”
Questioning the motivation behind the message, he wrote: “I have never argued for stopping democracy. I would never argue for it. Still, this individual felt comfortable telling me, on a public forum, that they were prepared to kill me and my family.”
The Reform politician said a police officer later visited the Senedd to take an official statement and explain how such cases are handled. He said he was encouraged that South Wales Police had treated the matter seriously.
The latest comments expand on remarks Mr Parry-Jones made earlier this week when he revealed he had received an online post threatening him and his family following his election.
At the time, South Wales Police confirmed to Nation.Cymru that the matter had been reported on June 2 and remained under investigation. The force said no arrests had been made.
Abuse
In his Daily Express article, Mr Parry-Jones said abuse had become “an occupational hazard of politics”, although he claimed Reform politicians appeared to receive particularly high levels of hostility.
The MS also reflected on his first weeks in Cardiff Bay, describing the Senedd building as being “like Hogwarts crossed with a community leisure centre” as he adjusted to his new surroundings.
He also revisited his criticism of what he viewed as wasteful spending after being issued two laptops by the Senedd Commission, and said he later discovered staff had discussed his social media posts after he submitted a subject access request.
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Reform platformed a woman that was jailed fir called for people to be burned to death, they gave her a standing ovation. Farage used her example in the US senate to say free speech is being stifled in the UK. I assume mr Parry will tackle his party stance on platforming that which he complains about and insist Lucy Connolly is no longer used for this which he hates?
Probably made up story for the publicity. I wouldn’t put it past him
To have death threats made against your family is completely unacceptable. Sadly, we are living in a toxic climate fuelled by parties like Reform UK, who not only seek to damage Welsh democracy but also seem to take delight in causing chaos. They use inflammatory language that fuels hatred, division, and resentment, and this kind of rhetoric can contribute to an environment in which politicians are attacked and even lose their lives, as in the tragic cases of Anne Widdecombe, Jo Cox and Sir David Amess. Remember, actions have consequences.
Reform is supported by huge numbers of ordinary people, including in Wales. Get over it. “Actions have consequences”. So it serves them right if they get killed?
Reform have constantly pushed out hate on many people.
Jess Phillips has had horrendous attacks, Dianne Abbot also. Sadiq Khan etc. A lot of derived from the policies this politician espouses.
I hope this Politician will use this to temper reforms hate towards people of a different colour to them. He can be verbal about it, call it out, stop his party from doing what it does.
We shall see.
No-one should be threatened with violence but the party must acknowledge they previously prioritised free speech over safety. It can’t be one rule for them and another for others. The party must state that free speech isn’t limitless, and distance themselves from the likes of Musk and others.
Get the violin out! This gang is enough to make a saint swear.
The man’s family was threatened. No excuse, whatever his politics.
Allegedly…
So he says. Is there evidence of this?
But hatred and division is what these guys are all about, or is it just hatred and division of others that’s not allowed?
I thought being a keyboard warrior was a prerequisite for supporting Reform.
Reform have started a new “Me Too” movement.
To Reform I reply:-
All lives matter. Thoughts and prayers. Suck it up snowflake. Do you want a safe space?
Spreading hate like Reform does, telling lies and creating a horrid place to live. And he wonders why he gets people angry. The whole Brexit crime and immigration lies have come back to bite. Suck it up. Or go live in Russia or like Tice the middle East half a week.
I thought they were all about “free speech”. When they are not calling for “a day of rage” when a brown person does something wrong, they are threatening violence on the internet.
Is there something wrong with the social extremism you ordered?