Reform MS says he won't stand for election again over threat of attacks

A senior Reform politician has said he will be standing down at the next election because of the threats of attacks faced by people in public office.

James Evans said he wanted to start a family with his wife and does not want to be "bringing up children in that environment".

Evans, Member of the Senedd (MS) for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said politicians were seen "as a bit of public commodity that can be attacked".

Last week, police confirmed they were investigating death threats against fellow Reform MS Cai Parry Jones.

Evans was first elected to the Senedd in 2021 as a Conservative but was sacked earlier this year after rumours he was talking to Reform - he later defected to the party and successfully stood for them in May's elections.

Evans holds a key portfolio for Reform in the Senedd, as the party's spokesperson on the NHS.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Evans said he had still got "a huge amount" to do before the next election but "as things stand today, I won't be standing in 2030".

He said it was going to be "a long goodbye" and "a lovely four years for me to go".

"I'm a big believer that some people can go on in politics too long. It was always my intention to only stand two terms.

"I've got a wife... I'd like to start a family," he said.

"We're seen as a bit of public commodity that can be attacked and then obviously, that spills into our family life, and I don't want to be bringing up children in that environment."

Police are currently investigating a death threat against Parry-Jones.

He said the alleged threat was made against him and his family.

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

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 MS was reported on 2 June with officers continuing to investigate but no arrests had been made.

Additional reporting by Dylan Greene