News

Eluned Morgan avoids questions on Plaid Cymru deal

Published

9 months ago

August 31, 2025

FIRST MINISTER Eluned Morgan has sidestepped speculation about whether Welsh Labour would be willing to work with Plaid Cymru if the party loses ground in next year’s Senedd election.

Speaking in an interview, Morgan admitted Labour faces a “challenge” after recent polls suggested Plaid Cymru and Reform UK are making gains at her party’s expense.

However, she insisted her focus remains on keeping Labour in the top spot rather than discussing possible pacts after polling day in May.

“I’m not going to deal with that situation until we know where we stand,” she said. “The important thing is that Labour comes first in this election. That’s what we’re working towards.”

Labour has governed in Cardiff Bay since devolution in 1999, often relying on coalitions or cooperation agreements with other left-leaning parties. Asked whether she could serve under a Plaid Cymru first minister in a hung parliament to block Reform UK, Morgan refused to be drawn.

She warned instead of the risks a Reform-led government could pose to public services and stressed her determination to remain as first minister.

On her party’s recent struggles in the polls, Morgan said she was concentrating on issues such as NHS waiting times and promised Labour would soon set out its vision for the years ahead. She also pointed to the benefits of extra funding for Wales as a result of Westminster spending decisions.

Morgan, who took over as first minister in August 2024, said she is prepared to challenge policies from Sir Keir Starmer’s UK government when necessary. But she stopped short of criticising Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s decision to ban the campaign group Palestine Action – a move that has divided Labour ranks.

“What matters to me is recognising people’s right to protest and acknowledging the suffering in Palestine,” she said. “We should be working more actively towards peace in that country.”

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

10 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

10 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.