News

RT Davies: “Senedd ministers must drop asylum seeker plan”

Published

1 month ago

October 8, 2025

ANDREW RT DAVIES MS has called on Welsh ministers to scrap their plans to make Wales a “Nation of Sanctuary” for asylum seekers, after the government reaffirmed that it was “proud” of the policy.

Mr Davies described the initiative as “highly irresponsible” and claimed it would encourage more people to enter the UK illegally and put pressure on public services.

The comments follow a vote by Plaid Cymru, Labour and “Llantwit First” councillors in the Vale of Glamorgan to declare the area a “County of Sanctuary” for asylum seekers — a move opposed by local Conservatives.

Mr Davies said: “Illegal migration poses huge problems for our communities. Not only does it place unsustainable pressures on our public services, it also leads to an increased risk of crime.

“The message must be clear: if you are in Britain illegally, you are not welcome here and you will be removed.

“But Plaid, Labour and the Lib Dems’ Nation of Sanctuary policy delivers the opposite. Not only does it openly advertise asylum seekers’ entitlements to housing and services, resources are allocated towards helping them access them.

“Various organisations are also funded which provide people with legal advice and assistance to avoid deportation.

“In the past week, Plaid and Labour have doubled down on the policy, both in the Vale of Glamorgan Council and in the Senedd.

“I have long opposed this highly irresponsible policy, which goes against the needs and wishes of people in the Vale of Glamorgan. Both the Nation and County of Sanctuary must be scrapped.”

Welsh Government defends “compassionate response”

In response, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt MS, defended the Nation of Sanctuary policy as a “compassionate response” that helps people fleeing persecution to rebuild their lives and contribute to local communities.

She said the Welsh Government does not decide how many asylum seekers are placed in Wales — that remains a responsibility of the UK Home Office — but confirmed Wales had committed to welcoming up to five per cent of arrivals.

“We believe this compassionate response gives people seeking sanctuary the best start possible and also helps local services and communities too,” Ms Hutt said.

Between 2019 and 2025, the total cost of the policy has been around £55 million, with 82 per cent of that funding directed towards supporting Ukrainian arrivals, which had cross-party backing in the Senedd.

Critics accuse Conservatives of “hypocrisy”

Llanelli councillor Shaun Greaney accused Mr Davies and other Conservatives of inconsistency, saying they had not opposed the sanctuary approach when it was applied to Ukrainian refugees.

He said: “It’s morally indefensible to praise the policy when it helps Ukrainians but attack it when it helps others. The Welsh Government’s approach reflects the warm Welsh welcome that people around the world associate with our nation.”

Background

Wales was formally recognised as the world’s first “Nation of Sanctuary” in 2019, committing to improve support for refugees and asylum seekers through housing, education, and community integration.

The scheme has received praise from charities and international human rights groups, but continues to face criticism from Conservatives, who say it diverts limited resources away from local residents.

Ministry of Defence

Castlemartin range set for heavy activity as winter live-fire exercise begins

Published

10 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Army warns of late-night firing and increased traffic

CASTLEMARTIN Training Area will be extremely busy over the next few weeks as the Army begins a major live-fire exercise running from now until to 5 December.

The winter training block will see troops carrying out critical preparation ahead of future deployments, with extensive armoured manoeuvres and both daytime and night-time firing.

Extended firing hours

Live firing will take place between the following times:

Monday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Tuesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm

There will be no live firing at weekends, although military vehicles will still be moving around the area.

Residents are being reminded that these times are the earliest and latest possible firing windows. Not every day will start or finish at the maximum hours listed.

Traffic expected on rural roads

The Army says there will be increased vehicle movements on local roads—particularly in Angle, Castlemartin and the Freshwater West area—in the week leading up to the exercise and throughout the training period.

A spokesperson said the support of local people is appreciated: “These exercises are essential for maintaining readiness and ensuring our troops are fully trained for any future operational requirement.”

Crime

Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges

Published

11 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

The incident stems from a violent incident outside The Vibe public house, Milford Haven involving three men – a woman was also wounded in the incident

TWO Milford Haven men have been sent to Swansea Crown Court charged with section 18 wounding after an alleged incident in the town on November 15.

David McCallum, 41, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday (Nov 17). He is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a woman in Milford Haven with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

McCallum also faces a second section 18 charge alleging that, on the same date in Milford Haven, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, with the prosecution conducted by Nia James.

On Tuesday (Nov 18), Nathan Abbott, 31, also of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Abbott is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a man in Milford Haven on November 15 with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

He was represented by Mike Kelleher, of Welch & Co.

Abbott also gave no plea, and his case was likewise sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Both McCallum and Abbott were remanded on conditional bail.

McCallum’s bail conditions include a curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, to be electronically monitored, not to contact directly or indirectly witnesses, and not to enter any public house, licensed club or off-licence.

Abbott’s bail conditions include living and sleeping each night at his home address , not to contact witnesses directly or indirectly, and not to enter licensed premises.

Both men must appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2025, at 9:00am.

No pre-sentence reports were ordered and no indication was given regarding any victim personal statements at this stage.

Crime

Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply

Published

11 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has been remanded in custody after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply and having £7,000 in criminal cash.

Luke Hutton, 25, of Corporation Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17) for his first hearing. The case was heard by a bench of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. He was represented by Jessica Hill and Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

Hutton pleaded guilty to two offences arising from a police incident at Yr Hafan, Princess Street, Aberystwyth, on November 14.

The first charge was possessing £7,000 in criminal property, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The second was possessing a quantity of cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply.

Magistrates were told that Hutton indicated guilty pleas to both matters on the day of his appearance.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, the bench committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Magistrates refused bail, citing the likelihood of further offending, the seriousness of the offences and the likely custodial sentence. Hutton was remanded into custody.

He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on December 1, 2025, at 9:00am, for a committal for sentence hearing, listed for 30 minutes.