News

Tufnell presses Transport Secretary on Pembrokeshire services

Published

7 months ago

September 11, 2025

PEMBROKESHIRE MP Henry Tufnell has pressed the UK Government on the need to improve local transport, raising the issue directly with the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, in the House of Commons this week.

During the session, Mr Tufnell highlighted the importance of reliable buses and trains for communities across the county, saying public transport was essential for both residents and the economy. He asked what steps ministers were taking to work with the Welsh Government to improve services in rural areas such as Pembrokeshire.

Speaking afterwards, the Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP said: “Improving public transport is vital for our communities and the local economy in Pembrokeshire. That is why I am pleased that we have two Labour governments working together to deliver better services across the county.”

The intervention follows comments he made shortly after being elected last summer, when he criticised the lack of direct trains between Pembrokeshire and London. On his first trip to Westminster in July 2024, he described the service as “really terrible”, adding: “The trains are rubbish to Pembrokeshire. It would be really nice if GWR could pull their finger out.”

At the time he said that improving rail connections would have a “big impact on the local economy”, and he promised to raise the issue with the Department for Transport. Currently, passengers must change at either Carmarthen or Swansea, with only a limited summer Saturday direct service between Pembroke Dock and London Paddington.

Great Western Railway confirmed it has been in contact with both Mr Tufnell and Pembrokeshire Council regarding aspirations for a year-round direct service to Milford Haven.

Alongside his latest parliamentary intervention, Mr Tufnell has launched a survey inviting residents to share their experiences of local transport, including ticket costs, timetables and connections between rural villages and larger towns. He said the results would help strengthen his case for investment.

Public transport has long been a concern in Pembrokeshire, with residents voicing frustration at reduced timetables, limited evening and weekend services, and difficulties accessing work, education and healthcare without a car.

Community

Lauren Clewes begins trainee solicitor role at Eaton-Evans and Morris

Published

9 minutes ago

April 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire law firm confirms internal promotion after Lauren joined the business as a paralegal in 2024

LAUREN CLEWES has been promoted to trainee solicitor at Eaton-Evans and Morris Solicitors.

Lauren joined the firm in 2024 as a paralegal, working first with Helen Hodges and later with Pauline Mainwaring. Over the coming months, she will work alongside the firm’s fee earners across all departments as part of her training.

Sean Dyer, one of the firm’s directors (pictured), offered his congratulations on her promotion.

News

Emergency response after person enters water at Milford Haven marina

Published

39 minutes ago

April 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Casualty recovered as police, coastguard and lifeboat crews attend

A MAJOR emergency response was launched at Milford Marina in Milford Haven on Sunday (Apr 12) after a person was reported to have entered the water.

Police, ambulance crews, HM Coastguard and lifeboat teams were called to the scene at Milford Docks shortly after 1:00pm.

The casualty was recovered from the water by emergency services. However, at the time of publication, their condition has not been confirmed.

Eyewitnesses described a significant multi-agency presence, with crews working together in a coordinated rescue operation.

The Herald understands that the incident prompted a rapid response from all emergency services in the area.

No further details have yet been released regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Crime

Over 500 arrests at latest Palestine Action protest in London

Published

2 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

The Herald understands demonstrators from Pembrokeshire were among those in London as 523 people were detained at Trafalgar Square vigil

MORE than 500 people were arrested in Trafalgar Square on Saturday during a mass protest against the ban on Palestine Action, in what campaigners say has pushed the total number of arrests linked to the group’s proscription to more than 3,300 since July 2025.

The Herald understands that a number of those attending had travelled from Wales, including some protesters from Pembrokeshire.

The Metropolitan Police said 523 people were arrested during the demonstration, where protesters staged what organisers described as a silent vigil against the war in Gaza and the use of terrorism laws against pro-Palestinian activism.

Those detained were said to range in age from 18 to 87. Among those arrested was Robert Del Naja, the Massive Attack musician and artist, who was identified by national media as being among those detained during the protest.

The latest mass arrests come amid continuing legal and political controversy over the Government’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The group was banned after activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in July 2025 and damaged military aircraft in protest at Britain’s support for Israel. The proscription came into force on July 5, 2025, making it a criminal offence to belong to the group or to express support for it.

However, in February this year, the High Court ruled that the ban was unlawful. Despite that decision, the proscription remains in force while the Government pursues an appeal, which is due to be heard later this month.

That legal uncertainty has fuelled criticism of the Metropolitan Police, which had initially indicated it would not arrest people simply for holding signs while the case remained unresolved. The force later reversed that position and resumed enforcement.

The handling of Saturday’s protest has drawn further scrutiny after former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent Dal Babu said the “optics” were “very challenging for the police” when faced with hundreds of peaceful demonstrators willing to be arrested.

Campaigners say the arrests raise serious questions about free speech, peaceful assembly and the practical enforcement of the law, particularly while the ban itself remains under appeal.

The protest was organised by Defend Our Juries, which said many of those detained were elderly or disabled and claimed the latest arrests showed the ban was becoming increasingly difficult to enforce consistently.

There was further controversy after reports that Devon and Cornwall Police did not make arrests at a similar protest in Truro on Friday, despite demonstrators there reportedly holding the same signs as those seen in London.

With the Court of Appeal due to hear the case on April 28 and 29, the latest arrests are likely to intensify pressure on both ministers and police over how far terrorism laws should be used in response to peaceful public protest.