Reform issues complaint to BBC over debate ‘plant’ at by-election debate

Reform UK has lodged a formal complaint with the BBC after a prominent audience member at a recent by-election debate was revealed to be a Plaid Cymru candidate.

The incident occurred during the 'Your Voice, Your Vote' television debate, hosted by BBC Wales for the Caerphilly by-election, which followed the sudden death of Labour Senedd Member Hefin David last year.

During the broadcast, the woman criticised Reform candidate Llyr Powell’s stance on immigration, claiming she had "never felt so unwelcome in my own home town" and directly told him: "Mr Powell, I blame you for that." This interaction quickly went viral and was widely discussed throughout the remainder of the campaign, the party stated.

Plaid candidate Lindsay Whittle went on to win with 15,961 votes, more than 47% of the total.

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Nigel Farage’s party had pledged to “throw everything” at its campaign for the seat, which Labour had held since the Senedd was established in 1999.

Plaid has since announced the audience member, Alison Vyas, as a community council candidate in Caerphilly.

A Facebook post announcing her candidacy described her as a “proud Valleys woman” who “brings the strength, warmth, and community spirit she grew up with”.

Mr Farage said: “Trust in the BBC has been shaken by scandals in recent years, from Huw Edwards to the selective editing of a clip of President Trump.

“Now, this revelation will be the final straw for many people in Wales.

“How can there be any confidence that Reform will get a fair and balanced hearing when this is the kind of thing that happens at key election debates?”

A BBC spokesperson said: “As with all BBC election debates, the audience was selected through an established and impartial vetting process designed to ensure a fair representation of political views.”

“All participants were selected in line with our standard editorial guidelines.”