News

Health minister refuses to act on Withybush despite 15,000-signature petition

Published

2 months ago

April 1, 2026

Senedd pressure grows as Welsh Government declines to intervene over surgery fears

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has refused to step in over controversial changes to services at Withybush Hospital — despite a petition signed by more than 15,000 people and mounting political pressure across west Wales.

In a letter dated Wednesday (Mar 26), Health Secretary Jeremy Miles told Samuel Kurtz MS that responsibility for the changes lies firmly with Hywel Dda University Health Board — effectively ruling out direct ministerial intervention.

***Sam Kurtz at Withybush Hospital with Paul Davies MS***

The decision comes after a major public campaign led by Pembrokeshire resident Ajay Owen, whose petition opposing the removal of emergency general surgery from Withybush rapidly gained traction and passed the Senedd threshold for formal consideration.

With more than 15,000 signatures, the petition has forced the issue onto the Senedd agenda and triggered scrutiny by the Petitions Committee — the first step towards a potential full debate in the chamber.

However, despite the scale of public concern, the Welsh Government has made clear it will not step in.

Mr Miles confirmed that the health board approved its Clinical Services Plan (CSP) at an extraordinary meeting in February, with implementation expected to begin in the next Senedd term and take up to four years to complete.

He said: “Under the statutory arrangements for NHS Wales, planning and delivery of local health services are the responsibility of health boards.”

The Health Secretary added that both he and the First Minister had been “very clear” that decisions of this nature rest with the health board — a stance likely to fuel accusations of ministers “passing the buck” at a time of heightened public anxiety.

Crucially, while Mr Miles stated that emergency department services were not included in the CSP decision, he offered no guarantees over the future of emergency general surgery — the central concern driving the campaign.

Local Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz criticised the response, describing it as deeply disappointing.

He said the reply “feels like the Minister is passing the buck,” adding that communities in Pembrokeshire are increasingly worried after “years of services being chipped away.”

Mr Kurtz, alongside Paul Davies MS, had urged ministers to intervene directly — arguing that the potential loss of key services would have a serious impact on patients in rural areas, where travel times to alternative hospitals are significantly longer.

The Herald understands that the scale of the petition had raised expectations that Welsh ministers might at least pause or review the proposals.

Instead, the response confirms a hands-off approach from Cardiff Bay — even as concern grows over access to urgent and emergency care in west Wales.

The focus now returns to Hywel Dda University Health Board, which faces intensifying scrutiny over how the plans will be delivered and what they will mean in practice for patients across Pembrokeshire.

For many residents, however, the message from the Welsh Government is clear — and unlikely to reassure:

Despite one of the largest health petitions in the region in recent years, ministers will not intervene.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

8 minutes 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.

Crime

Haverfordwest pair accused of £80,000 rogue trading frauds

Published

9 minutes ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

TWO men from a Haverfordwest traveller family have been described in court as “rogue traders” following a series of alleged frauds totalling almost £80,000.

Billy Alfred Gary Lovell, 38, and Timothy Dean Lovell, 36, both of Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

They are accused of offences linked to ground clearance and gardening work in Mathry, Sardis and two addresses in Carmarthenshire.

Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Department, barrister Harry Dickens told the court: “These men have to be described as rogue traders.”

Billy Lovell faces 16 charges, including fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, and unfair commercial practices.

The most serious allegation relates to Diana and Martin Hearnshaw, of Sardis. It is alleged that between January 30, 2022, and January 16, 2025, Billy Lovell dishonestly represented that he would complete clearance and gardening works worth £71,631, but failed to carry out work to that value.

He is also accused of offences involving Richard Gardner, of Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, Irene Williams, of Mathry, and Daniel Watts, of Ty Croes, Carmarthenshire.

Timothy Lovell faces ten charges arising from alleged incidents involving Richard Gardner and Irene Williams.

The allegations include claims that the defendants failed to provide accurate invoices, receipts, written contractual terms, cancellation rights and refund information. Some charges also allege that aggressive commercial practices were used, including harassment, coercion or undue influence.

No pleas were recorded. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction.

The case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on June 12.

Both defendants were granted conditional bail. They must not contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, must live and sleep each night at their respective addresses in Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, and must not undertake any gardening or landscaping work.

The bail conditions were imposed to prevent interference with witnesses and further offending.

Education

Milford Haven School names new prefect team for 2026/27

Published

42 minutes ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has announced its new Prefect Team for the 2026/27 academic year.

The school said there had been an exceptional number of applications from pupils keen to take on leadership roles.

Following an application and interview process, Annabelle Griffiths and Oliver Phillips have been appointed Head Prefects.

The Deputy Prefects for 2026/27 are Millie Lewis, Izzy Roberts, Elif Evans-Browning and Freddie Sturley.

The wider Prefect Team is made up of Rishi Dutta, Seren Carridge, Diya Joshi, Damien Dyson, Lewis Reynolds, Jemima Kenny, Megan Lewis, Finley Jenkins, Ellie Lawlor, Charlotte Lacey, Teleri Mathias, Erin Dando and Harmony Blissett.

The team will help mentor younger pupils, support school events, promote pupil voice and help maintain a positive and respectful school environment.

Acting Headteacher Mr John said: “We are immensely proud of every pupil who applied for a prefect position. The standard of applications this year was exceptionally high, reflecting the dedication, enthusiasm and leadership qualities of our students.

“It was inspiring to see so many pupils willing to contribute their time and talents in the service of the school community.

“We are confident that our new Prefect Team will be outstanding representatives of Milford Haven School and will play a key role in fostering a positive, inclusive and supportive environment for all.”

Milford Haven School also thanked the current 2025/26 Prefect Team for their hard work and dedication over the past year.