// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Ex-Reform politician likens party's response to criticism to an abuser
Sarah Cooper-Lesadd defected from Reform UK to Plaid Cymru in September
An ex-Reform UK politician has likened her former party's response to criticism as being "like an abuser in a domestic abuse relationship".
Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, who defected to Plaid Cymru last month, also said she was "not surprised" by recent allegations of sexism and misogyny within the party, claiming she had personal experience of such behaviour.
Reform UK says Cooper-Lesadd should resign and called her claims "outright fabrications".
An ITV undercover investigation, due to be broadcast on Sunday evening, has filmed several of the party's supporters and candidates over a 12-month period, with several making racist and sexist comments.
Reform UK said all those featured in the programme were under investigation, with some having resigned, while others were suspended.
Cooper-Lesadd was elected as a Member of the Senedd for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg in May as a Reform UK member before switching to Plaid Cymru in September.
In an interview with BBC-produced Newyddion S4C, she claimed there was a sexist and misogynistic culture within the party when she was a member and said she was "on the receiving end" of such comments.
Pointing to two separate incidents, she claimed a prominent party member told her she "looked like a screamer" during a political rally.
She alleged the same member also told her she "did not need to be elected as she could be replaced by a 60-year-old man."