Police investigate death threat against Reform politician

Police are investigating a death threat against a Reform UK member of Wales' parliament.

Cai Parry-Jones said the alleged threat was made against him and his family.

Reform has called for full security for politicians that want it following the killing of its spokeswoman and former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe.

Writing on social media, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf MS Parry-Jones said threats of violence against politicians were a "direct attack on democracy and needs the toughest response".

South Wales Police confirmed to BBC Wales that the threat against the Member of the Senedd (MS) was reported on 2 June with officers continuing to investigate, but no arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, a 47-year old Newport man has admitted smashing the window of the constituency office of Conservative MS Natasha Asghar with a large stone.

In a social media post, Asghar, MS for Casnewydd Islwyn, said: "We all heard the tragic situation and circumstances behind Ann Widdecombe's passing last week.

"It's truly shaken up the political community regardless of one's political affiliation.

"And it's incidents like this that put people off from joining politics and from doing their job but I'm here to tell you that regardless of this stone or any difficulties and hardship, that come across my way, I will carry on doing the job that I love and that I do day in and day out."

Gwent Police said the incident involving Asghar on Wednesday night is not viewed as politically motivated and the man involved received a community resolution.

Community resolutions, normally used for minor offences or incidents of antisocial behaviour, aim to address the issues without more formal legal proceedings.

They are an informal agreement between the people involved in an incident, and do not lead to a criminal record.

The security of Senedd members has been raised on several occasions in the Welsh Parliament recently.

Huw Irranca-Davies, the presiding officer (Llywydd), said a "comprehensive security framework" supports MSs in their work.

He said this includes security on the Senedd estate, tailored advice, incident reporting and security measures at members' homes and constituency offices.

Members also have access to a dedicated social media monitoring service run by Senedd security.

Irranca-Davies said the arrangements are backed by close co-operation with police, including an on-site presence and intelligence sharing, as well as work with security partners across Wales and the UK.

He added that security planning is reviewed annually, while Senedd security, police and UK-wide security partners carry out ongoing risk assessments.