Laura Anne Jones said it had been a ‘nightmare’ to face a two year investigation into her conduct
19:46, 19 Nov 2025
Reform UK MS Laura Anne Jones breaks down in the Senedd as colleagues banned her for 14 days(Image: Senedd.tv)
Reform UK’s only Senedd member Laura Anne Jones has said a two-year investigation into allegations made against her have been a “nightmare” as she detailed the impact allegations had on her. Laura Anne Jones, the regional Senedd member for south Wales east, was tonight (November 19) suspended from the Welsh Parliament for 14 days after admitting using a racial slur in a WhatsApp message.
There had been a wider investigation into claims against her, that she had falsified expenses, unfairly dismissed a staff member and used racist language. Only the latter was upheld as a breach of the code of conduct Senedd members have to follow.
It was investigated by the independent standards commissioner and the standards committee, made up of cross-party members of the Senedd.
Ms Jones spoke in the chamber about the report, ahead of her suspension which starts immediately saying it had caused her, and her two children distress, and had led her to try take her own life a number of times as a result of the stress.
She said: “Firstly, I’d like to put on record that I fully accept the commissioner’s findings in this report and thank him for a full, fair and thorough investigation.
“I welcome the 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 it 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 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, as you said, have all completed Senedd respect and conduct training and I have actively been in contact and and help 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. I also want to say how harrowing this nearly two year investigation has been,” she said, breaking down in tears.
“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 it was no wrongdoing, has taken a significant toll on me, which led me to try and try drown out that noise and nearly take my own life a number of times.
Where you can get support for your mental health in Wales
Mind Cymru – mental health charity working across Wales to support people in their communities. Call the infoline on 0300 123 33 93 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm for information on mental health problems, where to get help near you, treatment options, advocacy services. Mind can also be contacted by email: info@mind.org.uk
Beat Cymru – leading eating disorder charity offering support and guidance for people worried about their own or someone else’s health, support available 365 days a year on the Welsh helpline 0808 801 0433 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Community Advice & Listening Line (CALL) – Mental health helpline for people in Wales which offers emotional support and information for anyone concerned about their own mental health or a friend/family member’s mental health. Call 0800 13 27 37 or text ‘help’ to 81066
Samaritans – For confidential support, Samaritans can be contacted around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123
All information correct at time of publication.
“Hastened to say, I wouldn’t wish this of what I’ve had to experience on my worst enemy, and I hope for your sakes that this doesn’t happen to any of you. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
“So I will now try to turn this awful experience into a positive one, and I’ll be campaigning hard to try and make positive changes to the system to better protect members centred around members being innocent until proven guilty, the foundation of which our country is founded on, getting the support they need and helping to improve the process.
“I will say, it does concern me that the committee, made up of Labour, Plaid and Tory were allowed to add on to the end of factual, thorough, nearly two year investigation with some non facts and speculation, hearsay.
“Arguably this shows that perhaps, as other members have argued, that this part of the process isn’t ideal and could bring into question impartiality, which is perhaps a strong argument for a truly independent process going forward into the next Senedd.
“I would ask members to reflect on the facts of the report today. Anyway, I have let this nightmare consume my family, and I for far too long it’s taken an enormous toll on me. And regardless of how you vote, I will always be both apologetic for using that language and thankful for drawing a line under it.
“I will now be able to put my full focus into representing my constituents to the very best of my ability, which I’ll do in or out of this chamber over the next two weeks and beyond. And I will also be putting my energies into my children who have suffered enough,” she said.
