Tory kicked out of party for 'talking to Reform'

A prominent Welsh Tory is being kicked out of his party for telling his party leader he was thinking about defecting to Reform UK.

James Evans has been removed from the shadow cabinet and had the whip withdrawn making him an independent, Tory Senedd leader Darren Millar has said.

Millar said he did so on Tuesday morning "after being informed by James that he was continuing to engage with Reform representatives about the possibility of defecting to the party in spite of his personal assurances on Friday that he had rejected an approach they initiated last week".

In a statement, Evans confirmed he was being ousted from the party which he said no longer represents his values.

"I will take some time in the coming weeks to consider my political future," he said.

Speculation has been heightened that Evans could defect following an interview with BBC Wales on Sunday, where he criticised UK party leader Kemi Badenoch and declined to say if he had spoken to Reform.

BBC Wales understands the process is underway to remove his party membership.

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