Anti-Ukraine post from Reform supporter's account was unofficial, says party

A social media post attacking Ukraine from a "Reform UK Alyn and Deeside and Wrexham" account was run by a party supporter with no official position in Reform, the party has said.

The post, on Facebook, accuses Ukraine of corruption, says no more money or weapons should be sent to the country and calls for the lifting of sanctions against Russia.

Reform said the account was "not official" and that the post was "contrary to our policy".

"We stand fully behind Ukraine against Russia's brutal invasion," a spokesperson added.

The post, published on Monday, has been condemned by other political parties.

The criticisms of Ukraine include labelling it "the most corrupt country on earth" and arguing that there should be no more sending of "money or weapons to the Zelensky regime".

There is also a call to "lift sanctions on Russia and restore normal diplomatic and trading relations".

Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates, a Fflint Wrecsam Senedd member, said he was "astonished" that "we're seeing yet again Reform backing Putin's invasion of Ukraine".

Reform leader Nigel Farage has been criticised for arguing that the West provoked the invasion.

Two years ago he told BBC Panorama the war was "of course" Mr Putin's fault, but that the expansion of the EU and Nato had given him a reason to tell the Russian people "they're coming for us again".

Conservative Sam Rowlands, another local MS, said it was a "disgraceful and deeply pro-Russian position from Reform UK" while "Putin continues his illegal war, including killing Ukrainian civilians."

"It is particularly concerning given Reform's previous Welsh leader Nathan Gill was jailed for over 10 years after accepting illegal bribes to promote Russian interests."

Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts MP made a similar point, accusing Reform of taking a "stance as a pro-Russian party".

"Rewarding Putin's aggression is no route to peace and stands in stark contrast to the values of solidarity and compassion we hold in Wales," she added.

Gill was sentenced, late last year, when Reform called his actions "reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable".

He is thought to have received up to £40,000 to help pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine while he was a member of the European Parliament.

On Tuesday, a Reform statement said the Reform UK Alyn and Deeside and Wrexham Facebook account was "not an official Reform UK page".

"It is run by a supporter with no official position in the party.

"This post is contrary to our policy. We stand fully behind Ukraine against Russia's brutal invasion."

The post appears to have since been deleted.