Reform UK's only Senedd member suspended for using racial slur on WhatsApp
Laura Anne Jones used a slur about Chinese people in a WhatsApp group during a discussion of the Chinese-owned app TikTok in August 2023
Last updated 19th Nov 2025
Reform UK's only member of the Welsh Parliament choked back tears as it was confirmed she would be suspended for using a racial slur.
The Senedd's standards committee recommended Laura Anne Jones, who defected from the Conservatives earlier this year, be given a 14-day ban from the Siambr (Senedd debating chamber) over the remarks.
Ms Jones used a slur about Chinese people in a WhatsApp group during a discussion of the Chinese-owned app TikTok in August 2023.
"No chinky spies for me," she said in the group.
The committee also looked into allegations that Ms Jones had fraudulently made false expenses claims but found "no breach of the code of conduct" in that regard.
The suspension was confirmed in the Senedd on Wednesday as her conduct was described as "far below the standards expected" of an elected member.
Ms Jones became emotional as she addressed the chamber, having to compose herself before describing the "harrowing" experience of being under investigation.
She was encouraged to "take (her) time" before continuing.
She said: "I'm not afraid to put on record that this process, and the continuous leaks to the press, particularly trying to frame me for a serious crime stemming from this clearly malicious attempt to discredit me, has had a negative impact on my family, especially my children, as well as a hugely detrimental impact on my own health and mental health.
"The pressure of being portrayed in such a serious and distressing way, despite the clear findings that there was no wrongdoing, have taken a significant toll on me, which led me to try and drown out that noise and nearly take my own life a number of times.
"I wouldn't wish this, what I've had to experience, on my worst enemy."
Speaking in the Senedd, the chairwoman of the standards committee Hannah Blythyn said: "We are clear that inappropriate and offensive comments have no place in our Senedd or society more widely.
"The conduct found in the commissioner's reports are far below the standards expected, and point to an office culture where there was little respect towards others, or any consideration of what may be found offensive.
"But the committee welcomes the fact that the member and her staff have since undertaken diversity training since making these comments."
Ms Jones said: "I fully accept the standards commissioner's findings in this report, and thank him for a full, fair and thorough investigation.
"I welcome the clear and welcome conclusion of both the police and standards commissioner, clearing me of any fraudulent activity, the police stating that there was absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing.
"As for the language that I regrettably used in the private WhatsApp messages, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise once again for that in this chamber.
"I never meant to cause any offence and would never have that intention of doing so.
"It is deeply regrettable that the message and others in which I had aired my frustrations in private, which I've also apologised for and do again, were leaked to the press and made public where they had the potential of being misconstrued and hurt someone unnecessarily.
"My staff and I have all completed Senedd respect and conduct training, and I have actively been in contact and helped the community that is being referred to.
"I have reflected deeply on this, and I wholly accept the need to take greater care with my language at all times."