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Reform Wales Senedd hopeful leaves party amid concerns he could be targeted like Charlie Kirk
Emily Price
A Reform member and Senedd hopeful has announced he will leave the party amid concerns he could be targeted like Charlie Kirk.
Councillor Scott Thorely has faced pressure from anti-racism campaigners after being co-opted onto Haverfordwest Town Council in June.
He stood as a Reform UK candidate in county council elections and a by-election for the seat vacated by Cllr Andrew Edwards and was unsuccessful, being co-opted later.
It triggered the launch of a petition on Pembrokeshire County Councilās website by campaign group West Wales Stand Up to Racism calling for the local authority to reaffirm its commitment "to fostering an inclusive and anti-racist Wales".
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Debate
The petition attracted 300 signatures and sparked a debate in Pembrokeshire's county hall.
On September 18, the council's scrutiny committee concluded that party affiliation alone was not grounds to take action against Cllr Thorely.
He branded the petition a "personal attack" and vowed to continue on.
However, on Tuesday (September 23), Cllr Thorely told his Facebook followers he was "leaving Reform Wales for now" so he could "take a break from all the craziness".
He later published a further Facebook post stating he would not stand in the Senedd elections next year.
Cllr Thorely said: "Iāve decided not to stand next year at the Senedd, just before I clicked submit I thought about everything that would come with it.
"Would my family be safe? Would my life be picked apart? Is it worth the risk?
"I think the assassination of Charlie Kirk by a brainwashed lunatic made me realise whatās important.
"I will continue campaigning for Reform and fight the far left hate group that has targeted me but for me personally itās not worth it at this moment."
The next day, Cllr Thorely deleted the post and told Nation.Cymru he wanted to "retract" the comments he had made.
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Controversial
Kirk - a right-wing political activist and trusted Trump ally - found fame as an avid public speaker touring liberal leaning US college campuses to promote conservative views.
The American podcaster made several controversial statements on issues such as gender, race, womenās rights and gun control and often drew fierce criticism.
Kirk was gunned down on September 10 while addressing an audience at Utah Valley University ā the first stop on his "American Comeback Tour" of college campuses.
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