Richard Tice accuses Sarah Cooper-Lesadd of 'lying about her beliefs' before switching from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru

Live updates

1. 11d ago

   Reform UK Faces Internal Turmoil Over Party Switch and Undercover Exposure

   Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has accused Sarah Cooper-Lesadd of dishonesty regarding her beliefs prior to her defection to Plaid Cymru. This political fallout follows an undercover documentary capturing party representatives making racist, sexist, and violent remarks. Tice reacted by accusing ITV of possible criminal activity over the covert recordings and expressed frustration regarding privacy concerns within the party. Meanwhile, Reform UK has initiated internal investigations into the implicated members and councillors amid broader security concerns involving party leader Nigel Farage.

   Why it matters

   The accusations highlight escalating tensions within Reform UK as the party confronts both internal misconduct and external media scrutiny. The defection of Sarah Cooper-Lesadd to Plaid Cymru compounds the pressure on leadership following the undercover exposure of offensive remarks by party representatives. These events unfold against the backdrop of heightened security worries for party leader Nigel Farage after a court appearance by a man accused of planning terrorist acts against him.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Richard Tice accused Sarah Cooper-Lesadd of lying about her beliefs prior to her switch from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the internal investigations launched by Reform UK into implicated members and councillors
   • Further developments regarding Sarah Cooper-Lesadd's political activities within Plaid Cymru
   • Legal or regulatory responses to Richard Tice's accusations against ITV regarding undercover recordings
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. en.wikipedia.org — Richard - Wikipedia
   2. en.wikipedia.org — Richard Gere - Wikipedia
   3. www.richardgroup.com — Richard | Nationwide General Contractors for Healthcare,...
   4. www.behindthename.com — Meaning, origin and history of the name Richard
   5. www.mentalfloss.com — The Origins of 11 Nicknames - Mental Floss
   6. www.richardepc.com — RICHARD
   7. www.richardmille.com — Richard Mille | A racing machine on the wrist
   confidence 50%
2. 20d ago

   Reform UK Accuses ITV of Criminality Over Undercover Exposure

   Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has accused ITV of possible criminal activity after an undercover documentary revealed party representatives making racist, sexist, and violent remarks. Tice complained that he does not know if he can pass gas without being recorded, while his party launched internal investigations into the implicated members and councillors. The expose coincides with separate security concerns surrounding party leader Nigel Farage, whose warnings were allegedly ignored according to Tice, following a court appearance by a man charged with planning terrorist acts against Farage.

   Why it matters

   The controversy compounds a difficult period for Reform UK, which is already facing scrutiny regarding internal party behavior and member defections under the Welsh voting system. ITV Exposure captured several election candidates and councillors uttering extreme and bigoted views during undercover filming. These revelations arrive as the party separately grapples with severe security threats targeting its leadership.

   What is confirmed

   • Reform UK has begun investigating members and councillors filmed making racist, sexist and violent remarks.
   • Deputy leader Richard Tice accused ITV of possible criminal activity after the undercover report.
   • Joshua Kerry was charged with preparing acts of terror against the Reform UK leader between May 2024 and July 2026.

   Still unconfirmed

   • ITV hired an undercover reporter from the broadcaster to target Nigel Farage's party.

   What to watch next

   • Results of Reform UK internal investigations into the exposed members and councillors
   • Further broadcast details and clips released by ITV Exposure
   • Updates from the Home Secretary regarding protection for MPs and party leaders
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. www.dailymail.com — Farage's security concerns weren't listened to says Reform's Tice
   2. uk.news.yahoo.com — Farage ‘not listened to’ over safety worries, Tice says after ...
   3. www.ibtimes.co.uk — MP Richard Tice Accuses ITV of Breaking the Law Over Reform ...
   4. www.thepoke.com — ITV’s undercover filming revealed Reform representatives ...
   5. www.theguardian.com — Just as Saint Nige thought it was safe to reappear, along ...
   6. www.thenational.scot — Reform UK accuses ITV of 'criminal activity' after ...
   confidence 90%
3. 32d ago

   Petition demands Senedd Members vacate seats after party defection

   More than 3,000 people have signed a petition demanding that Senedd Members resign their seats if they switch parties. Christopher Blackwood launched the petition on September 15, the same day Sarah Cooper-Lesadd announced her departure from Reform UK to join Plaid Cymru. The move follows accusations from Richard Tice that Cooper-Lesadd lied about her beliefs and has sparked a wider debate over whether by-elections are required under the new Welsh voting system when representatives cross the floor.

   Why it matters

   Sarah Cooper-Lesadd is a 31-year-old care worker who left Nigel Farage's Reform UK for Rhun ap Iorwerth's governing party. Her defection triggered misogynistic abuse and mockery of her appearance by Derek Roberts, a senior advisor to Gareth Thomas. The situation highlights systemic tensions regarding party-list seats in the Senedd.

   What is confirmed

   • Christopher Blackwood launched a petition on September 15 for Senedd Members who switch parties to give up their seats.
   • The petition has attracted more than 3,000 signatures.
   • Sarah Cooper-Lesadd announced she was leaving Reform UK to join Plaid Cymru on September 15.

   What to watch next

   • Official Senedd ruling on whether a by-election is required for party-list defectors
   • Response from Plaid Cymru regarding the petition for resignation
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. nypost.com — How all-American ex-cop turned into Russian spy before outrageous plot hoodwinked the US Secret Service
   2. www.politics.co.uk — Reform UK Archives - Politics.co.uk
   3. Nation.Cymru — Over 3000 people sign petition demanding MSs give up their ...
   4. www.theguardian.com — Nandy labels Farage ‘master of conspiracy theory’ over ...
   5. www.telegraph.co.uk — Reform UK - The Telegraph
   6. record.senedd.wales — Motion - NNDM9310 - Welsh Parliament
   7. www.the-independent.com — Could you spot a traitor? The physical sign that could mean ...
   8. www.aol.com — Nick Saban Accused Of 'Lying' During Tuesday Morning's 'Get ...
   confidence 100%
4. 36d ago

   Richard Tice Accuses Defector Sarah Cooper-Lesadd of Lying

   Richard Tice accuses Sarah Cooper-Lesadd of lying about her beliefs following her defection from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru. The 31-year-old care worker crossed the floor last week to join Rhun ap Iorwerth's governing party. This switch sparked calls for her resignation from Reform figures, a wave of misogynistic online abuse from supporters, and mockery of her physical appearance by Derek Roberts, a senior special advisor to Reform Senedd Member Gareth Thomas. The defection also raises systemic questions regarding party-list seats and whether a by-election is required under Wales' new voting system.

   Why it matters

   The political fallout highlights growing internal friction for Nigel Farage's party following regional electoral gains. While Reform UK faces scrutiny over its internal stability, the defection exposes specific operational vulnerabilities in the Senedd's new voting framework regarding seat retention. Meanwhile, Labour recently reclaimed a seat in Hamworthy four months after a Reform sweep, underscoring broader difficulties the party faces in maintaining electoral ground.

   What is confirmed

   • Sarah Cooper-Lesadd switched her allegiance from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru.
   • Richard Tice accused Sarah Cooper-Lesadd of lying about her beliefs.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A by-election is required under Wales' new voting system following the defection.

   What to watch next

   • Decisions on whether a by-election will be triggered under the new voting system
   • Further responses from Reform UK leadership regarding party-list seat retention
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. thenational.wales — Senedd defection highlights flaw in Wales’ new voting system
   2. dorseteye.com — Labour Takes Back Hamworthy as Reform’s Divisions Deepen
   confidence 85%
5. 37d ago

   Reform UK staffer joins abuse against defector Sarah Cooper-Lesadd

   Senedd Member Sarah Cooper-Lesadd faces a wave of misogynistic online abuse from Reform UK supporters following her shock defection to Plaid Cymru last week. The 31-year-old care worker crossed the floor to join Rhun ap Iorwerth's governing party, prompting calls from Reform figures for her resignation and accusations that she lied about her beliefs. The hostile reaction escalated when Derek Roberts, a senior special advisor to Reform Senedd Member Gareth Thomas, shared a social media post mocking Cooper-Lesadd's physical appearance.

   Why it matters

   Political defections in Wales routinely trigger media frenzies and intense questioning. This crossing of the floor compounds a turbulent period for Reform UK in Wales, which previously faced instability following the arrest and resignation of regional leader Dan Thomas.

   What is confirmed

   • Sarah Cooper-Lesadd is the Member of the Senedd for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg.
   • Sarah Cooper-Lesadd defected from Reform UK to join Plaid Cymru.
   • Derek Roberts is a special advisor to Reform UK Senedd Member Gareth Thomas.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Jason O'Connell asked whether Sarah Cooper-Lesadd should resign after crossing the floor to Plaid Cymru.

   What to watch next

   • Any official disciplinary action or statements from Reform UK regarding the social media posts by their staffer and supporters.
   • Further political responses from Plaid Cymru leadership or Gareth Thomas regarding his advisor's online activity.
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. Nation.Cymru — Plaid defector faces torrent of misogynistic abuse from ...
   2. www.southwalesargus.co.uk — Sarah Cooper-Lesadd defects from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru
   3. www.walesonline.co.uk — Reform UK politician accuses Senedd member who defected of ...
   4. Nation.Cymru — Racist Reform staffer joins in misogynistic pile-on against ...
   confidence 100%
6. 45d ago

   Richard Tice accuses Sarah Cooper-Lesadd of lying after Plaid Cymru defection

   Richard Tice claims Sarah Cooper-Lesadd lied about her beliefs before she left Reform UK to join Plaid Cymru. This defection coincides with a period of instability for the party in Wales, where leader Dan Thomas has resigned following his arrest on suspicion of assault. The party has described the recent series of events, including the arrest and the defection, as a challenging week.

   Why it matters

   The internal turmoil within Reform UK's Welsh wing suggests a leadership vacuum and ideological friction. These events occur as the party attempts to maintain its regional presence.

   What is confirmed

   • Sarah Cooper-Lesadd switched from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru.
   • Dan Thomas resigned as Reform Wales leader after being arrested on suspicion of assault.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Richard Tice claims Sarah Cooper-Lesadd lied about her beliefs.
   • Reform UK described the week as challenging.

   What to watch next

   • Appointment of a new Reform Wales leader
   • Legal proceedings regarding the arrest of Dan Thomas
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. BBC — Richard Tice accuses Sarah Cooper-Lesadd of 'lying about her beliefs' before switching from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru
   2. BBC — An arrest, a defection and a new leader - how Reform's 'challenging' week unfolded
   3. BBC — Dan Thomas resigns as Reform Wales leader after arrest on suspicion of assault
   4. independent.co.uk — Ex-Reform politician who defected to Plaid Cymru ‘lied’ about her views, Tice claims
   5. The Guardian — Leader of Reform UK in Wales stands down after arrest on suspicion of assault
   confidence 90%