Reform says it will not defund Bangor University

Francesca O'Brien told BBC Wales that Reform will not withdraw funding from Bangor University and she distanced herself from party policy head Zia Yusuf's suggestion that funding could be stripped after a debating society declined an invitation.

Reform UK said it would not withdraw funding from Bangor University amid a debate over free speech. Francesca O'Brien, a Welsh politician for the party, made the comment during a BBC Wales discussion. She distanced herself from the party's head of policy, Zia Yusuf, who had suggested funding could be removed after a student debating society refused an invitation to a Reform MP. Other guests on the programme criticised those remarks. Key facts: - Reform UK stated it will not withdraw funding from Bangor University. - Francesca O'Brien made the clarification during a BBC Wales debate. - Zia Yusuf had suggested funding could be stripped after a debating society declined an invitation to a Reform MP. - The comment prompted criticism from other politicians on the programme, with one guest likening the remarks to rhetoric associated with former US President Donald Trump. - The dispute centres on free speech and invitations to university debating events. Summary: The party's clarification removed the immediate prospect of funding being withdrawn and highlighted differing views within Reform UK and among other politicians. Undetermined at this time.