News

Local MP rejects Bishops’ criticism of Government response to migrant crisis

Published

10 years ago

October 18, 2015

A PEMBROKESHIRE MP has hit back at bishops criticising the Government’s response to the migrant crisis arguing the UK took action years before church leaders took “a campaigning interest”.

Stephen Crabb, Secretary of State for Wales and Conservative MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency said on Sky News that the approach being taken by the Conservative administration was “one of compassion” and dismissed criticism by the Church of England (CofE) as nothing new.

Mr Crabb defended the Government’s policy after more than 80 CofE bishops signed a letter branding the response as “increasingly inadequate” and said the UK should take at least 50,000 refugees.

They urged the Prime Minister to make a “meaningful and substantial response to the scale of human suffering we see daily”.

Amid pressure from public opinion to strengthen the UK’s response to the migrant crisis on Europe’s borders, the Government pledged to take in 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next five years.

However, the bishops said in the letter: “We believe such is this country’s great tradition of sanctuary and generosity of spirit that we could feasibly resettle at least 10,000 people a year for the next two years, rising to a minimum of 50,000 in total over the five-year period you foresaw in your announcement.”

The Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Revd Andrew Watson, told Sky News: “I think given the extraordinary crisis there is across Europe and the Middle East at this point, with millions of people displaced from their homes, the question is ‘what is an adequate response?’

“Clearly you do have to have a maximum somewhere. We are a crowded island, I am aware of that.

“But we feel 20,000 is about the centre court at Wimbledon. That sort of amount is just not enough given the scale of the crisis.

“Especially if the war in Syria continues for five years or more, which there is every indication it may well.”

But speaking on Sky News’ Murnaghan programme, Mr Crabb said: “Four years ago, we were out there in Syria as a government, spending taxpayers’ money investing in camps, providing clean water, shelter, security, education for those refugees fleeing war.

“Our response has been one of compassion.

“We have been at the coalface there for the last four years long before the bishops started taking a campaigning interest in this issue.”

And he defended the Government’s position to only take people from the refugee camps and not those who had already arrived in Europe.

Mr Crabb continued: “As a government we do not want to feed that movement, that trafficking of people, which is why we said we will take 20,000, we will resettle them in the UK but we will take them directly from the camps.”

He added: “I do think we hold our heads up high. Our response is one of compassion but it’s also one of actually thinking things through in terms of the long-term interests for those people, those families but also for this country.”

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

42 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.