News

Police smash door in dawn raid on Nation.Cymru journalist Martin Shipton

Published

1 month ago

March 6, 2026

Counter-terror officers search home in China espionage investigation

AN AWARD-WINNING Welsh journalist has described the “terrifying” moment armed counter-terror police smashed in the front door of his home during a dawn raid linked to an investigation into alleged Chinese espionage.

Martin Shipton, a prominent political reporter for Nation.Cymru, said an eight-strong team from the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism unit forced entry to his property shortly after 6:20am on Wednesday (Mar 4).

Shipton said he and his wife were asleep when they were woken by loud banging on the door and someone shouting the name “Michael”.

“When I pointed out that nobody of that name lived in the house, the shouter said: ‘We’re coming in!’ and the door was smashed open,” he said.

“It was an utterly terrifying experience, and one that I don’t hope to repeat.”

National Security Act warrant

Officers served Shipton with a search warrant issued by a judge at the Old Bailey under the National Security Act 2023.

The warrant authorised police to search his home for a wide range of items including mobile phones, computers, storage devices, cameras, travel documents and financial records.

The warrant also permitted officers to seize material linked to any foreign intelligence service.

Police told Shipton the search would likely take the entire day but did not provide further details about the investigation.

Shipton said he was “utterly bemused” by the suggestion that he might possess any such material.

“I have never been paid significant sums from foreign jurisdictions, let alone in cryptocurrency,” he said.

“In fact I have little knowledge of cryptocurrency, beyond seeing them as dodgy investments promoted by the likes of Donald Trump and Nigel Farage.”

He also stated that he had never communicated with a foreign intelligence service.

Link to Labour figures

Shipton said he later learned the police operation appeared to be connected to the arrest of David Taylor, a political consultant he has known for more than twenty-five years.

Taylor was reportedly arrested on suspicion of spying for China along with two other individuals.

All three men are understood to have previously worked for the Labour Party and now operate in public affairs and political consultancy.

The journalist said the news prompted him to recall a trip he had taken with Taylor to Hong Kong around three years ago.

Taylor had told him that a Chinese think tank based in Shanghai – which he said advised Chinese president Xi Jinping on international relations – had asked him to attend a briefing in Hong Kong on attitudes toward China in the UK.

Shipton said Taylor invited him to accompany him as another “expert” on the trip, which was paid for by the organisation.

Hong Kong visit

According to Shipton, the visit lasted around a week but involved little serious policy discussion.

Instead, he said much of the trip resembled a tourist visit.

“As the only one of the three of us who had visited Hong Kong before, I became the de facto tourist guide,” he said.

The group visited a Buddhist temple, museums and restaurants and watched a well-known harbour light show from Kowloon.

Shipton said conversations with the Chinese representative were largely general in nature.

Topics included concerns in the West about China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority and the possibility of expanded trade between the UK and China.

“At no stage did it occur to me that anything criminal was taking place,” he said.

Voluntary statement

During the search, Shipton said he offered to give police a voluntary statement about the Hong Kong trip.

He told officers he was willing to do so without a solicitor because he believed he had done nothing wrong.

“I am happy to tell them about the trip,” he said.

Shipton stressed that he has not been arrested and has not been accused of any offence.

He said he is cooperating fully with police inquiries.

Passport seized

Police seized a number of items during the search, including Shipton’s mobile phone and passport.

Officers offered to place him and his wife in a hotel while the search took place, but they declined because they wanted to remain with their cats.

Shipton said he briefly left the house and used a neighbour’s phone to make calls while officers carried out the search.

Police have agreed to pay for a replacement front door after forcing entry to the property.

Shipton said he hopes to have his passport returned soon so he can attend a planned concert in Dublin.

“Finally,” he said, “I would rather like to have my passport back so I can attend with my wife and daughter a long-anticipated concert of Christy Moore in Dublin in two weeks’ time.”

Investigation continues

Police have not provided further details about the investigation, which is being conducted under the National Security Act.

The arrests and searches are part of a wider inquiry into suspected Chinese espionage activities in the UK.

Shipton said the raid came “completely out of left field” and that he has seen no evidence suggesting that any of the individuals arrested committed offences under the legislation.

Cover image: Martin Shipton (Image Reach PLC)

Community

Doorstep warning issued after reports of suspicious callers in Pembrokeshire

Published

1 hour ago

April 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents in Haverfordwest and St Davids urged to watch out for vulnerable neighbours after social media alerts

A WARNING has been issued to residents in parts of Pembrokeshire after separate social media reports of suspicious doorstep callers in both Haverfordwest and St Davids.

In Haverfordwest one resident said a man called at his home at around 6:10pm on Tuesday (Apr 14), claiming he was an ex-convict from South Shields selling cheap household goods in an effort to get his life back on track.

The Merlins Bridge resident said the man claimed there was a wider team operating in the area in a similar way. He reported that the caller then knocked at several more homes along Venns Close before heading towards Greenhill Drive and the roundabout.

The man was described as wearing black waterproof trousers and a royal blue waterproof coat, with dark medium-length hair and no hat. He was also said to be carrying a large holdall, possibly containing items for sale.

In a separate post circulating online, residents in St Davids were also warned to be cautious after reports of men wearing backpacks and baseball caps going door-to-door.

The post claimed police had been in the area several times during the day looking for the individuals. Residents were urged to keep doors locked and to contact police if they saw anything suspicious.

While none of the claims have been independently verified by The Herald, the reports have prompted calls for people to remain vigilant, secure doors, gates and vehicles, and check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.

Residents suggested the activity may be linked to so-called “Nottingham Knockers”, a term often used to describe cold callers selling goods door-to-door, sometimes amid concerns that vulnerable households may be targeted.

He said he had reported the Haverfordwest incident to Dyfed-Powys Police via the force’s website. The reference number given was CDS-76190-26-6300-002.

Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour is advised to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police.

Crime

Romino’s licence revoked after illegal workers found and fire risks exposed

Published

2 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Takeaway in Cardigan ordered to shut by 11:00pm after council hearing backed by immigration officials, police and fire service

A TAKEAWAY in Cardigan has lost its premises licence after repeated enforcement visits uncovered illegal working and serious fire safety failings.

Ceredigion County Council’s Licensing Sub Committee decided to revoke the premises licence for Romino’s Pizza and Kebab following a hearing held on Monday, April 7.

The review was brought by Home Office Immigration Enforcement and supported by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Dyfed-Powys Police.

During four separate visits to the business, officers found a total of eight people said to be working illegally at the premises.

Fire safety inspectors also identified a number of serious breaches, leading to prohibition notices being issued because of the risks posed to staff, customers and the wider public.

The committee concluded that revoking the licence was proportionate and necessary in order to uphold the licensing objectives, in particular the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of public safety.

As a result of the decision, the business will now be required to close at 11:00pm unless an appeal is lodged.

A spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council said: “We welcome the Licensing Sub Committee’s decision to revoke the Premises Licence for Romino’s in Cardigan. This reflects the seriousness of the issues identified and the clear risks posed.”

The action follows earlier enforcement steps taken in March.

On March 5, immigration officers visited the premises and found two Turkish men allegedly working there illegally. A closure notice was issued at once, preventing access to the site and stopping any work from taking place.

The Home Office said that on three previous visits, a further six people had been found working illegally at the same business. Those responsible were handed fines totalling £135,000.

An illegal working compliance order was later granted at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 6. Such orders place strict conditions on a business, including requirements to carry out right-to-work checks and permit ongoing inspections.

Although the takeaway later reopened, the Home Office pressed ahead with its application for a licence review on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder.

A spokesperson said illegal working harms lawful businesses, drives down wages and can be linked to organised immigration crime.

Business

Sauna Uno brings coastal wellness experience to West Wales

Published

5 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Bespoke mobile sauna offers sea views, cold-water immersion and private group bookings along the Pembrokeshire coast

A UNIQUE mobile sauna experience is bringing a fresh take on relaxation and wellbeing to the West Wales coast, combining traditional heat therapy with sea air, cold-water immersion and some of the region’s most dramatic views.

Sauna Uno is a custom-built mobile sauna designed to offer guests the benefits of a Nordic-style sauna experience in a striking coastal setting. Operating from selected locations in West Wales, it allows visitors to step from the warmth of a wood-fired sauna into the open air, with the option of a cold plunge or sea swim as part of the ritual.

Set against the backdrop of beaches, cliffs and Atlantic skies, the experience is built around contrast — intense heat followed by cold water, shared conversation followed by quiet reflection, and the comfort of the sauna against the raw beauty of the Pembrokeshire coastline.

Designed for comfort

Inside, Sauna Uno has been carefully designed to create a welcoming and practical space for both individuals and groups. The sauna includes a spacious seating area, large viewing windows, heated changing facilities, and a selection of herbal teas, cold water and natural essential oils to enhance the experience.

The aim is to combine the health benefits of sauna use with the calming effect of the coastal environment, creating something that feels both restorative and memorable.

Its owners say the concept is about more than simply getting warm.

Sauna Uno is intended to offer people the chance to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy a moment of calm in a busy world — whether that is after a sea swim, as part of a wellness session, or simply as a social experience with friends.

Popular for groups and private hire

The mobile sauna has proved especially popular for group bookings, with enough space for friends, families and small parties to enjoy the experience together.

Bookings are regularly made for birthdays, private gatherings, group wellness sessions and retreat-style coastal days out. The setting, combined with the shared nature of the sauna experience, has made it an increasingly attractive alternative to more traditional celebrations.

To encourage group celebrations, Sauna Uno is currently offering a ten per cent discount on birthday group bookings.

That offer is expected to appeal to those looking for something a little different — an occasion centred on wellbeing, the outdoors and spending quality time together rather than the usual restaurant or nightlife options.

A growing wellness trend

Sauna culture has grown in popularity across the UK in recent years, with more people turning to heat therapy, cold-water immersion and outdoor wellness experiences as a way to support both physical and mental health.

Regular sauna use is commonly linked to improved circulation, muscle recovery, reduced tension and stress relief. Many enthusiasts also say the combination of heat and cold helps improve mental clarity, resilience and overall wellbeing.

At coastal sites, that effect can be heightened by the surrounding landscape, fresh air and sea views, turning a sauna session into a more immersive experience.

Visitors to Sauna Uno have praised the quality of the heat, the design of the sauna and the peaceful atmosphere created by the coastal locations. Sunset sessions and winter bookings have proved particularly popular, with many describing the combination of hot sauna and cold sea air as both invigorating and deeply calming.

Making the most of the coast

By operating as a mobile unit, Sauna Uno is able to make use of carefully chosen coastal spots across West Wales, bringing the experience closer to the sea and giving guests access to some of the area’s most scenic locations.

For many, that sense of place is what sets it apart.

Rather than being tucked away indoors, Sauna Uno makes the natural environment part of the experience itself — offering a way to enjoy the coast in all seasons, whether under clear skies, in the golden light of sunset, or with wild weather rolling in off the Atlantic.

With interest continuing to grow and weekend sessions often booked in advance, organisers are encouraging people to plan ahead for private hire, birthday bookings and group visits.

For bookings and enquiries, their Facebook page can also be found by searching Sauna Uno.