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Politics

Online abuse of politicians ‘getting worse by the day’

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SENEDD Members called for urgent action to tackle the “existential crisis” of abuse, harassment and intimidation faced by politicians on social media.

Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price, the first openly-gay man in his party to be elected to national office, warned prejudices based on sex, race and sexual orientation have been reinvigorated.

He told the Senedd: “It is getting worse by the day, and it really represents an existential crisis for our democracy and our society.”

Mr Price said: “For our democracy to be effective, it has to be diverse. Diversity trumps ability. It’s a piece of evidence in social science.”

The former Plaid Cymru leader called for a focus on representation of trans women and men, a community “under siege”, to ensure their voices are heard in the Senedd.

Mr Price highlighted harmful comments below news stories involving him in recent weeks. “That certainly won’t deter me and I hope it won’t deter anyone else,” he said. “But we’ve got to do something about it collectively, haven’t we?”

Labour’s Hannah Blythyn expressed concerns that Wales could go backwards in terms of equality of representation at the next Senedd election in less than 12 months.

Former Welsh Government minister Hannah Blythyn

She warned that online abuse, misogyny and homophobia are rife across society.

Ms Blythyn told Senedd Members: “I very much made an active decision when I had the opportunity to stand in this legislature because of the make-up – that there were more women here, that it was more representative.”

She emphasised that diversity not only changes the face of politics but its focus too, saying: “It makes what we do and the policies that we produce so much better because we are experts by our own life experiences.”

Jane Hutt, Wales’ social justice secretary, acknowledged the rise of abuse, harassment and intimidation towards politicians, candidates and campaigners.

During a statement on June 10, she told the Senedd: “This is a significant barrier to participation in politics, particularly for people from under-represented groups.”

Jane Hutt, secretary for social justice, trefnydd and chief whip
Jane Hutt, secretary for social justice, trefnydd and chief whip

She outlined voluntary diversity and inclusion guidance for political parties which aims to ensure democratic bodies are truly representative of all the people of Wales.

Ms Hutt said safety costs will be exempt from spending limits for Welsh elections, in line with calls from the Jo Cox Foundation, which was set up after the Labour MP’s murder in 2016.

She added that Welsh ministers are working with regulator Ofcom, which has new enforcement powers, around the misuse and abuse of online media.

Conservative MS Altaf Hussain
Conservative MS Altaf Hussain

Altaf Hussain, the Kashmir-born Conservative who represents South Wales West, warned guidance on equal representation risks crossing a dangerous line.

The former surgeon said: “Equality of access cannot come just by bureaucratic diktats or targets that treat individuals not as nuanced, valued voices but boxes to tick.

“This removes merit, choice and, frankly, voters’ rights deciding who is best representing them. Let’s not replace one form of exclusion with another altogether; the truest diversity only flourishes where and when freedom leads.”

Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams said progress on underrepresentation of women in politics has slowed and, in some parts of democracy, has gone into reverse. She pointed out that the number of female leaders in councils has halved to only 9%.

Ms Williams warned the voluntary guidance was published “far too late” and represe

 

News

Kurtz calls on Labour MPs to back release of Mandelson papers

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Opposition motion follows Epstein-linked document disclosures

A SENEDD Member has called on Labour MPs to support a Conservative Opposition Day Motion demanding the release of papers linked to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK Ambassador to the United States.

Samuel Kurtz said the motion follows the publication of new files and photographs involving Lord Mandelson, which were released as part of a United States investigation into the disgraced and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking out, Mr Kurtz said that during Prime Minister’s Questions, the Prime Minister admitted he was aware of Peter Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein at the time of his appointment.

“That means the Prime Minister knowingly appointed Peter Mandelson to one of the most important diplomatic roles in government despite his links to Epstein,” he said. “This raises serious questions about the Prime Minister’s judgement.”

Mr Kurtz went on to accuse the Prime Minister of attempting to prevent transparency over the appointment process.

“Now, instead of being open and transparent, the Prime Minister is attempting to block the release of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment in order to protect his own position,” he said.

He warned that Labour MPs who oppose the motion would share responsibility for withholding information, adding: “If Labour MPs support blocking the release of these papers, they will be complicit in covering up the process and judgement that led the Prime Minister to appoint Peter Mandelson as Ambassador, despite his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.”

 

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News

Welsh peace campaigner removed from court during Palestine protest case

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Concerns raised over use of terrorism laws against silent sign-holders as Welsh activist among those ejected from London hearings

A WELSH peace campaigner was among several protesters removed from court by security staff this week as plea hearings continued for people charged under terrorism legislation for holding pro-Palestine signs.

Angie Zelter, aged 74, from Knucklas, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Monday as part of mass proceedings linked to the Government’s ban on Palestine Action.

Campaigners say hundreds of people across the UK – including some in Wales – have been charged under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after quietly holding handwritten signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Zelter, a long-time anti-war activist and founder of Trident Ploughshares, attempted to read a prepared statement criticising the prosecutions before being escorted from the courtroom, according to supporters.

She told the court she did not accept being labelled a terrorist for what she described as peaceful protest and opposition to the war in Gaza.

Outside the building, fellow campaigners said she had sought to argue that international law and freedom of expression should protect non-violent dissent.

Also removed from the hearing was Tim Crosland, co-founder of Defend Our Juries, who said he had tried to raise legal objections to the charges before being asked to leave.

Arrests nationwide

Organisers of the “Lift The Ban” campaign claim nearly 3,000 people have been arrested across Britain since late 2025 for taking part in silent vigils, with several hundred now facing prosecution. The offences carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

The group argues the legislation is being used to criminalise peaceful protest. It is calling on the Government to lift the ban on Palestine Action and to change its stance on military cooperation with Israel.

However, ministers have defended the proscription, saying the organisation has been linked to criminal damage and disruption at sites connected to defence manufacturing.

Welsh perspective

While most hearings are taking place in London, campaigners say demonstrators in Wales have also taken part in sign-holding protests.

Civil liberties advocates have warned that applying terrorism laws to non-violent protest risks setting a troubling precedent.

For many in mid Wales, the sight of a pensioner from rural Powys being removed from a courtroom has sharpened debate over where the line lies between legitimate protest and criminality.

Further hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks, with more defendants from across the UK expected to appear.

 

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Business

Bid to convert office space into chocolate factory, salon and laundrette

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A CALL for the retrospective conversion of office space previously connected to a Pembrokeshire car hire business to a chocolate factory, a beauty salon and a laundrette has been submitted to county planners

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr M Williams, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought retrospective permission for the subdivision of an office on land off Scotchwell Cottage, Cartlett, Haverfordwest into three units forming a chocolate manufacturing, a beauty salon, and a launderette, along with associated works.

A supporting statement said planning history at the site saw a 2018 application for the refurbishment of an existing office building and a change of use from oil depot offices to a hire car office and car/van storage yard, approved back in 2019.

For the chocolate manufacturing by ‘Pembrokeshire Chocolate company,’ as part of the latest scheme it said: “The operation comprises of manufacturing of handmade bespoke flavoured chocolate bars. Historically there was an element of counter sales but this has now ceased. The business sales comprise of online orders and the delivery of produce to local stockist. There are no counter sales from the premises.”

It said the beauty salon “offers treatments, nail services and hairdressing,” operating “on an appointment only basis, with the hairdresser element also offering a mobile service”. It said the third unit of the building functions as a commercial laundrette and ironing services known as ‘West Coast Laundry,’ which “predominantly provides services to holiday cottages, hotels and care homes”.

The statement added: “Beyond the unchanged access the site has parking provision for at least 12 vehicles and a turning area. The building now forms three units which employ two persons per unit. The 12 parking spaces, therefore, provide sufficient provision for staff.

“In terms of visiting members of the public the beauty salon operates on an appointment only basis and based on its small scale can only accommodate two customers at any one time. Therefore, ample parking provision exists to visitors.

“With regard to the chocolate manufacturing and commercial laundrette service these enterprises do not attract visitors but do attract the dropping off laundry and delivery of associated inputs. Drop off and collections associated with the laundry services tend to fall in line with holiday accommodation changeover days, for example Tuesday drop off and collections on the Thursday.

“With regard to the chocolate manufacturing ingredients are delivered by couriers and movements associated with this is also estimated at 10 vehicular movements per week.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

 

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