Tory kicked out of party for 'talking to Reform'

"James Evans has been removed from the shadow cabinet and had the whip withdrawn making him an independent, Tory Senedd leader Darren Millar has said. Millar said he did so on Tuesday morning "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"."

"In a statement, Evans confirmed he was being ousted from the party which he said no longer represents his values. "I will take some time in the coming weeks to consider my political future," he said. Speculation has been heightened that Evans could defect following an interview with BBC Wales on Sunday, where he criticised UK party leader Kemi Badenoch and declined to say if he had spoken to Reform. BBC Wales understands the process is underway to remove his party membership."

James Evans was removed from the Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet and had the party whip withdrawn after informing the Senedd leader that he continued to engage with Reform UK representatives about potentially defecting, despite earlier personal assurances rejecting their approach. Evans confirmed his ousting and described the party as no longer representing his values, and intends to take time to consider his political future. Speculation about a defection intensified after an interview on BBC Wales in which he criticised UK party leader Kemi Badenoch and declined to disclose whether he had spoken with Reform. Party membership removal procedures are understood to be underway.

Read at www.bbc.com