News

Greyhound Bill faces fresh scrutiny as second committee raises “serious concerns”

Published

1 month ago

December 5, 2025

THE PROHIBITION of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill has been heavily criticised for a second time in 24 hours after the Senedd’s Legislation, Justice and Constitution (LJC) Committee published a highly critical Stage 1 report yesterday.

The cross-party committee said the Welsh Government’s handling of the legislation had “in several respects, fallen short of the standard of good legislative practice that we would normally expect”.

Key concerns highlighted by the LJC Committee include:

Introducing the Bill before all relevant impact assessments (including a full Regulatory Impact Assessment and Children’s Rights Impact Assessment) had been completed – a step it described as “poor legislative practice, particularly … where the Bill may impact on human rights”.
Failure to publish a statement confirming the Bill’s compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The committee has recommended that Rural Affairs Minister Huw Irranca-Davies issue such a statement before the Stage 1 vote on 16 December.
Inadequate public consultation, with the 2023 animal-licensing consultation deemed “not an appropriate substitute” for targeted engagement on the specific proposal to ban the sport.

The report follows Tuesday’s equally critical findings from the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee, which questioned the robustness of the evidence base and the accelerated legislative timetable.

Industry reaction Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), described the two reports as leaving the Bill “in tatters”.

“Two consecutive cross-party Senedd committees have now condemned the Welsh Government’s failures in due diligence, consultation and human rights considerations and evidence gathering,” he said. “The case for a ban has been comprehensively undermined. The responsible path forward is stronger regulation of the single remaining track at Ystrad Mynach, not prohibition.”

Response from supporters of the Bill Luke Fletcher MS (Labour, South Wales West), who introduced the Member-proposed Bill, said he welcomed thorough scrutiny and remained confident the legislation could be improved at later stages.

“I have always said this Bill is about ending an outdated practice that causes unnecessary suffering to thousands of greyhounds every year,” Mr Fletcher said. “The committees have raised legitimate procedural points, and I look forward to working with the Welsh Government and colleagues across the Senedd to address those concerns while keeping the core aim of the Bill intact.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Minister has noted the committees’ reports and will respond formally in due course. The government supports the principle of the Bill and believes a ban on greyhound racing is justified on animal welfare grounds. Work is ongoing to finalise the outstanding impact assessments and to ensure full compatibility with the ECHR.”

The Bill is scheduled for a Stage 1 debate and vote in plenary on Tuesday 16 December. Even if it passes that hurdle, it would still require significant amendment at Stages 2 and 3 to satisfy the committees’ recommendations.

Crime

Milford Haven man, 65, convicted of sexual assault on teenage girl

Published

37 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Court Reporter

Huw Bridges denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury at Swansea Crown Court following a trial

A MAN in his sixties has been convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Huw Bridges, 65, of Haven Drive, Hakin, denied two counts of sexual assault but was found guilty by a jury after around two-and-a-half hours of deliberations.

The court heard that one incident took place on June 2, 2024, when the complainant, who was aged 16 at the time, was taken by Bridges on his motorbike to a secluded area near Carew Castle.

Prosecutor Hannah George told the jury that the pair went for a walk, during which Bridges kissed the teenager despite her trying to move away and telling him that it made her feel uncomfortable. He then went on to touch her breasts and vagina over her clothing.

The jury was told the teenager reported the incident to her parents almost immediately after returning home. It was then that she also disclosed an earlier allegation, dating from between October 2020 and October 2021, in which Bridges was accused of touching her vagina over her clothing on another occasion.

“The prosecution’s case is that the defendant had a sexual interest in teenage girls,” Ms George said.

Bridges was arrested on June 14, 2024, and later interviewed by police. In a prepared statement, he denied sexually assaulting the complainant.

He accepted that there had been physical contact but claimed he had only put his arm around the teenager and “pecked her on the cheek” in an attempt to comfort her, insisting the gesture was not sexual in nature.

After the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts, Judge Geraint Walters adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Bridges was re-admitted to bail and is now required to register as a sex offender. He is due to return to court for sentencing on Thursday, February 6.

Health

A&E departments under severe pressure across west Wales

Published

47 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Health board urges public to use NHS 111 and alternative services as demand surges at Withybush and Glangwili

PRESSURE on accident and emergency departments across west Wales continued on Monday (Jan 12), with Hywel Dda University Health Board urging the public to use the most appropriate services for their needs.

The health board said its Emergency Departments across all sites were under significant strain, with Withybush Hospital and Glangwili Hospital experiencing particularly high demand.

In a public message, the health board asked people to “help us to help you” by seeking the right care in the right place, where it is safe to do so.

Residents who are unwell but unsure where to go are being advised to contact NHS 111 Wales, which is staffed by trained healthcare professionals and can offer advice and direct patients to the most appropriate service. The service is available online or by telephone.

The health board stressed that anyone experiencing a serious or life-threatening emergency should continue to call 999 without hesitation.

People needing urgent mental health support can access help 24 hours a day by calling NHS 111 and selecting option two, while those with minor injuries or illnesses that need same-day treatment but are not life-threatening are encouraged to use Minor Injury Units where appropriate.

Community pharmacies were also highlighted as a first point of contact for a range of common ailments, with many offering walk-in advice, assessment and treatment without the need for an appointment.

The health board also appealed for help from families where possible to support the discharge of relatives who are medically fit to leave hospital but are waiting for homecare or community health arrangements to be put in place. It said family support, where available, can help speed up the discharge process and free up hospital beds.

With cold weather continuing, residents were also encouraged to follow winter health advice from Public Health Wales to help reduce illness and pressure on NHS services.

The health board thanked the public for their cooperation and support as services continue to deal with sustained winter pressures.

Crime

Haverfordwest close to securing ‘significant’ US investment

Published

51 minutes ago

January 12, 2026

Herald Sport

BOSSES at Haverfordwest County AFC have confirmed the club is in the final stages of talks over what has been described as “significant investment” from United States-based backers.

Chairman Rob Edwards has previously made no secret of his ambition to take the Cymru Premier side to “the next level”, with a move towards full-time football and regular European qualification firmly on the agenda.

In a statement issued this week, the club said it was currently in an exclusivity period with a US investment fund and that negotiations were at an advanced stage.

The statement said: “The club is in the latter stages of an agreement during an exclusivity period regarding significant investment in the club from a US-based investment fund.

“The club has been clear about its desire to raise investment to fulfil its ambition to move towards full-time football and to compete in the latter stages of qualifying for UEFA competition. Talks have been ongoing with a party that buys into the same vision.

“The club hopes to make further announcements in due course.”

Since Edwards took over as chairman in the summer of 2020, Haverfordwest have enjoyed a remarkable rise. Now established in the Cymru Premier, the Bluebirds have qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League twice in the past three seasons, while the club’s academy side has also represented Wales in Europe.

Haverfordwest have also developed a reputation as one of the most progressive clubs in Welsh domestic football. Among those to have passed through the club is current Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen, who was in charge during the 2021–22 season.

However, with the Cymru Premier set to expand from 12 to 16 teams next season, Edwards has acknowledged that further investment — or potentially a full takeover — will be needed if the club is to remain competitive and continue challenging for European qualification.

Away from Pembrokeshire, Edwards’ company, Morley Sports Management Group, recently completed a takeover of Scottish League 1 side Hamilton Academical. Following that move, Edwards said the Scottish club remained at risk of administration but expressed confidence that insolvency could be avoided.

For Haverfordwest, the proposed US investment could mark a pivotal moment as the club looks to build on recent success and secure its long-term future at the top end of Welsh football.