Party stands by Merthyr member despite council investigation
A REFORM UK councillor is facing mounting criticism after leaving a voicemail on an ITV journalist’s phone containing controversial remarks about the Pakistani community.
Councillor Andrew Barry, who represents Merthyr Tydfil, only joined Reform earlier this month after previously serving as an independent. However, he has already attracted national attention for the wrong reasons.
The voicemail, reportedly left inadvertently on Wednesday (June 18), features Cllr Barry discussing housing and benefits policy with another individual. In the recording, he refers to “immigrants in the HMOs,” claiming “they’re everywhere” and making specific reference to people of Pakistani heritage, whom he describes as “tribal” and “not just disliking us, but disliking Sikhs” too.
The comments have been widely condemned. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council issued a statement confirming a formal investigation had begun.
A spokesperson said: “As a local authority we are supportive of an inclusive and diverse culture and do not condone any comments that could be deemed offensive to any group.
“Following election, all members receive mandatory training on the Councillor Code of Conduct which includes guidance on equality and respect. A formal investigation process will now commence.”
The remarks follow a separate controversy earlier this month, when Nation.Cymru unearthed a 2013 Facebook post by Cllr Barry describing Puerto Rico as a “third world s**t hole.”
Despite the criticism, Reform UK has stood by their new councillor, insisting the conversation has been “taken out of context.”
In a statement to ITV, a Reform UK spokesperson said: “The private conversation involving Councillor Andrew Barry has been taken out of context with the recording only picking up snippets of the discussion.
“They were discussing the failure of multiculturalism and recent warnings about the India-Pakistan conflict spilling onto British streets. Past riots in cities like Leicester and Birmingham show these are serious and legitimate concerns.
“Reform UK supports open and honest discussions about integration, community cohesion, and the impact of current policies. We reject hate or discrimination in any form but will not shy away from addressing difficult issues affecting communities across the UK.”
The incident comes as Reform UK enjoys a surge in political support. A recent poll by Find Out Now suggested the party could win 29% of the vote in next May’s Senedd elections—placing them ahead of Plaid Cymru on 27% and Labour on 18%.
Cllr Barry said he joined Reform because he sees it as “the only opposition in Wales,” adding: “The people making the decisions on those hundreds of thousands of pounds are unelected members of the council.”
Photo caption: Reform backing: Nigel Farage welcomed Andrew Barry and fellow councillor David Hughes to the party during a Port Talbot event earlier this month (Pic: WalesOnline/Rob Browne).
