Reform politician suspended from Welsh Parliament over racial slur

Reform's only Welsh Parliament member has been banned from the Senedd chamber for 14 days after using a racial slur to describe Chinese people.

Laura Anne Jones apologised for breaking the parliament's code of conduct over her behaviour, including the offensive comments made in a WhatsApp chat in August 2023.

In an emotional statement in the Senedd, she said investigations by police and Senedd standards commissioner, which cleared her of making fraudulent expenses claims, had a hugely detrimental effect on her mental health.

The suspension, imposed by Senedd members, stops her taking part in proceedings for two weeks and docks her pay.