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Cardiff Airport ‘abandoned’ as First Minister fails to visit once

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Ministers accused of turning their backs on taxpayer-owned airport

THE FIRST MINISTER of Wales has not visited Cardiff Airport once since taking office, despite the site being wholly owned by the Welsh Government and receiving hundreds of millions of pounds in public support.

Eluned Morgan, who became First Minister in August 2024, has not set foot on the airport in her official capacity, according to written answers published by the Senedd on Thursday, July 17.

The Welsh Government’s own Transport Secretary, Ken Skates, also confirmed he has not visited the airport since taking on the role. Economy Secretary Rebecca Evans has made just one visit and held two meetings with the Airport Chair – one of which the First Minister attended virtually.

Andrew RT Davies MS

The lack of engagement has drawn fierce criticism from Andrew RT Davies MS, who said ministers had “lost all interest” in the national airport they once heavily championed.

Contrast with Carwyn era

Mr Davies said: “People in Wales will be shocked to learn that neither the First Minister, nor her transport chief, have visited Cardiff Airport.

“In years gone by, you could barely get ministers out of Cardiff Airport. Now they’re nowhere to be seen.”

He pointed to the contrast with former First Minister Carwyn Jones, who played a hands-on role in securing the Cardiff to Doha route with Qatar Airways back in 2018.

That route, seen at the time as a diplomatic and economic breakthrough, remains suspended – even though flights to Doha have resumed from Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Government defends position

Welsh Government officials have responded by saying that the current arm’s-length approach is not new, and that commercial negotiations with airlines are a matter for the airport’s executive team.

Senior press officer told The Herald: “Ministers have taken the same approach of leaving the airport executive team to lead on negotiations with airlines for a number of years.”

He cited a statement from former First Minister Mark Drakeford in 2023, which made clear that ministers were no longer directly involved in airline discussions.

However, the Welsh Conservatives say that public perception still matters, especially when £205.2 million in public investment has been committed to the airport over a 10-year period.

Of that, £20 million has already been paid out this financial year.

Legal challenge adds pressure

As revealed earlier this month, Bristol Airport has launched a legal challenge against the Cardiff subsidy plan in the Competition Appeal Tribunal. While the Welsh Government has vowed to fight the case, the row has further highlighted concerns over transparency and oversight.

“Taxpayers have put substantial investment into the Airport,” said Mr Davies. “We want to see it become a success—but there’s little chance of that when ministers can’t even find time to visit.”

The Herald understands that no ministerial visits to Cardiff Airport were recorded in the official engagement logs between August 2024 and June 2025.

With pressure mounting and a legal case looming, questions are now being asked about the long-term vision for Cardiff Airport—and whether anyone in government is still paying attention.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

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A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

  • Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
  • Common assault
  • Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

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Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

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Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
  • A second count of assault
  • Criminal damage
  • An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
  • A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

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Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

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Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

  • Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
  • Intentional non-fatal strangulation
  • Common assault on a woman
  • Criminal damage in a domestic context
  • Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
  • Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.

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