News
Row erupts between Plaid Cymru and Welsh Conservatives over Palestine Action
A FURIOUS political row has erupted in Wales between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives following a controversial UK Government decision to classify Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, plans to introduce legislation on June 30 to proscribe Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws. This follows an incident in which the group’s activists broke into RAF Brize Norton, spray-painting military aircraft and causing significant disruption.

Welsh Conservative MS for South Wales Central, Andrew RT Davies, condemned Plaid Cymru’s response as “shocking but unsurprising,” criticising their opposition to the ban. Davies highlighted recent statements by Plaid’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts, who tweeted that the government’s proposed proscription of Palestine Action was “disproportionate and unnecessary.”
Davies said: “This group deliberately damaged military equipment built to keep us safe—they represent a clear national security threat. Plaid’s stance, along with their leader Rhun ap Iorwerth attending a march featuring controversial group Kneecap, reveals the worrying reality of Welsh separatism.”
Liz Saville Roberts defended her stance, stating: “Non-violent protest is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy. Banning Palestine Action sets a dangerous precedent for democratic rights.”

Adding to tensions, Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performed at the Barry Welsh independence march attended by Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, recently faced terror-related charges. His appearance has further fuelled Conservative accusations of radicalism within Plaid Cymru.
Critics of the government’s decision, including human rights groups such as Liberty and environmental group Greenpeace, argue that proscribing Palestine Action under terrorism legislation could create a “chilling effect” on legitimate protest movements.
However, supporters of the ban maintain that the direct-action group’s activities go far beyond peaceful protest, presenting significant threats to national security and public safety.
The Welsh political landscape remains divided on the issue, with Plaid Cymru advocating caution to protect civil liberties and the Welsh Conservatives calling for stringent action against groups they deem as threatening.
With the proscription order due to be debated in Parliament imminently, the dispute between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives underscores wider concerns about the balance between national security and the preservation of democratic protest rights.
Business
First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead
THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.
The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.
A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.
Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.
“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”
The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.
Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.
The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.
A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.
Photo: Martin Cavaney
Crime
Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood
A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.
SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST
Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.
The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.
COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION
Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.
Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.
She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.
The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.
Local Government
Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works
Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure
SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.
County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.
“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.
Urgent works underway
Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.
Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.
Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.
Further updates are expected later this week.
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