Counter-terror officers arrest man in Powys as part of national security investigation

THREE men have been arrested in Wales and London on suspicion of assisting Chinese intelligence services in the United Kingdom.

The arrests were made on Wednesday (Mar 4) as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation being carried out under the National Security Act 2023, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.

Two of the suspects were detained in Wales, while a third man was arrested in London.

Police said the men are aged 39, 43 and 68.

The 43-year-old was arrested at an address in Pontyclun, while the 68-year-old was detained in Powys. A 39-year-old man was arrested in London.

Officers also carried out searches at a number of properties linked to the suspects, including addresses in Cardiff and East Kilbride in Scotland, as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Metropolitan Police said the arrests relate to suspected offences involving assisting a foreign intelligence service, believed to be connected to China.

In a statement, police emphasised that the operation is being handled by Counter Terrorism Policing, which is responsible for national security investigations in the UK.

Officers confirmed the suspects remain in custody while enquiries continue.

Police also reassured the public that there is no immediate danger.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “There is no imminent or direct threat to the public.”

The National Security Act, introduced in 2023, created new offences designed to combat espionage, foreign interference and covert activity by hostile states operating in the UK.

The investigation is continuing.

THE LEADER of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Keir Starmer during heated exchanges in the House of Commons on Wednesday (Mar 4).

During Prime Minister’s Questions, Badenoch accused the government of prioritising welfare spending over defence investment and warned that Britain was failing to strengthen its military during a period of international instability.

She claimed the government had no credible defence investment plan, telling MPs the Prime Minister “doesn’t know what is going on on any policy” and simply reads prepared statements regardless of the question being asked.

Badenoch said the government’s spending priorities had left the country vulnerable.

“The truth is that because they spent money on welfare there is no defence investment plan,” she said.

“Because there is no defence investment plan they are not ordering enough missiles.”

The Conservative leader also attacked Labour’s energy policy, accusing the government of undermining the UK’s domestic energy security by restricting new North Sea oil and gas drilling.

She argued that doing so while importing energy from countries such as Norway made little sense during a period of geopolitical tension.

“At a time of geopolitical crisis, does it make sense to kill our oil and gas industry and give up that ready supply of energy?” she asked.

Responding, the Prime Minister defended the government’s approach and said ministers were working with allies and energy companies to safeguard supplies.

Starmer said the UK remained in close contact with international partners and industry leaders amid global instability.

He added that oil and gas would remain part of the UK’s energy mix for many years, but insisted that renewable energy was key to improving long-term energy security.

“If the last few days have taught us anything, it is that while we rely on international markets we are vulnerable to these changes,” he told MPs.

“That is why renewable energy, where we have our own independence and security, will take us off those markets.”

The exchanges became increasingly heated as Badenoch continued to criticise the government’s priorities on defence and national security.

She argued that the Prime Minister was “prioritising his job security over our national security.”

Starmer dismissed the criticism, telling the Commons he had spent the week “protecting British lives” and accused the opposition of failing to act in the national interest.

The clash came amid heightened international tensions and growing debate in Westminster about defence spending, energy security and the rising cost of living.

Crash happened outside Haverfordwest McDonald’s just three months after passing test

A TEENAGE motorist has been sentenced after causing serious injuries to a pedestrian on a zebra crossing outside McDonald’s in Haverfordwest, just three months after passing his driving test.

CCTV footage shown to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week captured restaurant employee Cameron Davies walking towards the car park zebra crossing after completing an eight-hour shift on July 17. As he began to cross, a white Vauxhall Corsa driven by 17-year-old Jayden Kerrick approached at speed and struck him.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Cameron Davies described the moment his evening took a devastating turn.

“When I finished my shift at 10:00pm I left the restaurant via the front door,” he said.

“I recall walking towards the crossing. I checked to the right and left to make sure the path was clear, but as I started walking onto the crossing my next recollection was coming round in the back of an ambulance.”

Davies was taken to Withybush General Hospital where doctors treated him for a bleed on the brain after he struck his head on the car park tarmac during the collision. The impact also triggered a seizure, and he continues to receive medication as a result.

The court heard that he continues to suffer a number of ongoing symptoms, including dizziness, poor coordination and flashbacks to the moment his head struck the ground whenever he hears loud banging noises. Investigations into the full extent of his injuries are continuing.

“I’m now back at work but I’m extremely wary every time I approach any crossing,” he said.

“At the time of the incident I was learning to drive, and this was something I was looking forward to. But this has now been put on hold after being told that I’m unable to drive for 12 months as a result of the seizures.”

Jayden Kerrick, now aged 18, of Baring Gould Way, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“His guilty pleas have been made without hesitation and he accepts full responsibility for what happened that night,” she told the court.

“He was just seventeen when this happened, so he was a young and inexperienced driver. He’s deeply devastated that his actions have caused injury to the complainant and he’s asked me to express his unreserved remorse.”

Harries said Kerrick had seen Davies leaving the restaurant.

“But there was a split-second error, and he realises that the consequences are real,” she said.

“He has been replaying the events in his mind ever since and has found the experience extremely distressing. This is not someone with a pattern of offending, but someone who made a serious mistake that night and who has reflected deeply upon it.”

Kerrick, who has no previous convictions, was sentenced to an 18-month community order. During that time he must complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.