News
Councillors condemn embattled chief

CHIEF EXECUTIVE PENSION PAYMENTS SCANDAL
FOLLOWING the publication of the WAO report last week, The Pembrokeshire Herald can confirm that Dyfed Powys and South Wales police forces are seeking legal advice from the Crown Prosecution Service about whether there is any evidence to support criminal charges in relation to unlawful pay supplements given to Pembrokeshire County Council Chief Executive Bryn Parry Jones and Carmarthenshire County Council Chief Executive, Mark James.
The Pembrokeshire Herald now understands that the referral to the police was made by Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards, who wrote to the chief constables of Dyfed Powys and South Wales police forces.
Meeting due to be held
WITH THE County Council due to hold a special meeting to consider the report within the next three weeks, it is unclear whether the intervention of the authorities will have any effect on the timing of such a meeting.
In light of dithering at the head of the Council and no sign of a date being set for the crucial meeting, a motion has been submitted for an emergency meeting to discuss the report’s content.
One question that any meeting must address is whether Bryn Parry Jones will be compelled to repay the unlawful pay supplement he has received over the last two years. While the County Council has the power to request repayment of any and all sums paid under the tax dodging scheme, it is not clear whether it will – in fact – do so. In addition, it is not clear whether any personal tax penalties will have accrued to the tax dodge’s beneficiaries.
Councillors tell Herald “Bryn should go”
COUNTY councillors across the political spectrum have already been in touch with The Pembrokeshire Herald giving their views as to the future of controversial chief executive, Bryn Parry Jones. The majority of those who have provided their opinion is in favour of the Council setting up its own investigation into the affair and suspending their CEO while the investigation takes place.
Some Pembrokeshire councillors have also called for the suspension of those who sat on the Senior Staff Committee that approved the unlawful payments to Bryn Parry Jones in September 2011.
Second officer shielded
PEMBROKESHIRE County Council continues to refuse to reveal the identity of the second officer who has benefited from the unlawful payments agreed by the Senior Staff Committee. A Council spokesman told The Pembrokeshire Herald:
‘We are not prepared to identify the second staff member who took up the new pension arrangements agreed on September 28, 2011.’
The Pembrokeshire Herald understands that the Council’s refusal to disclose the identity of the second staff members is simply delaying the inevitable revelation of their identity when it publishes its annual accounts. It was the appearance of the Chief Executive’s name in the authority’s accounts that gave rise to the current and ongoing scandal.
Leader’s email row
AS THE storm over the unlawful payments made to Bryn Parry Jones continues to rage around County Hall, a communication sent to IPPG members using the Council’s own IT infrastructure has caused further controversy.
IPPG leader Jamie Adams sent the email below from his County Council email address.
The email, which seeks to reassure members of Cllr Adams’s IPPG party, is a response to the scandal that has engulfed the Council over an unlawful pay supplement implemented to help senior officers avoid tax on their publicly-funded pensions.
The Pembrokeshire Herald understands that, in using his Council email address, Cllr Adams has potentially broken rules about the use of Council emails for party political purposes.
We were notified of the email’s existence by Hakin Cllr Mike Stoddart, who has also published the story on his website.
The use of the Pembrokeshire County Council facilities for party political purposes has been a past cause of significant controversy for the supposedly “independent” IPPG. Former Councillor and IPPG Cabinet member David Wildman was heavily criticised by the Ombudsman for using Council IT facilities for party ends: “During the investigation the Ombudsman considered the twenty three files containing election literature for former colleagues … Councillor Wildman accepted at interview that he was recorded as being the author or the last person to have saved the files, and that he used Council computer systems to create the election material. He said that he had been given election material because some candidates had difficulty working computers and that he had prepared their manifestos.”
Having resigned before the publication of the Ombudsman’s report, Cllr Wildman escaped further censure. The Pembrokeshire Herald understands, however, that the Ombudsman is to consider the activities of a separate and current Cabinet member in relation to the same conduct.
The use by Cllr Adams of the Council’s own infrastructure to transact party business appears to be a similar breach of the rules as that in which Cllr Wildman became embroiled.
A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council told The Pembrokeshire Herald:
“The Monitoring Officer has confirmed that elected Members are allowed to manage group business using Council resources to facilitate Council business. This applies to all political groups.”
Carmarthenshire set the date
ACROSS the border in Carmarthenshire, the Council have adopted an aggressive and assertive approach to the Auditor’s findings of unlawfulness.
The date has been set for an extraordinary meeting for Carmarthenshire County Council to debate the Wales Audit Office reports.
The Leader and Executive Board have called for the meeting which has now been agreed by the Chair of Council Cllr Terry Davies. It will take place on Thursday, February 27, and the only items on the agenda will be reports regarding the two WAO issues.Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “It has been difficult being unable to speak out, particularly knowing the full facts and having seen all the evidence, it will be a great relief to be able to share that with all county councillors and with the public.”
Evidence relating to the two issues is being shared with all county councillors in advance of the matter going before council. This includes advice from QCs and previous communication with the Wales Audit Office.
Carmarthenshire Council has also published the advice of Tim Kerr QC relating to the costs indemnity it gave to its own Chief Executive, Mark James to bring a counterclaim for libel against Carmarthenshire blogger Jacqueline Thompson.
Carmarthenshire County Council instructed Mr Kerr, a specialist in local government law, jointly with Pembrokeshire County Council in relation to the pensions tax dodge that bother authorities passed entirely coincidentally in 2011. It is not clear why the tax dodging advice has not been published, although the nature of the joint advice means that both Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire would have to agree to its publication.
Business
RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd: Securing Pembrokeshire’s future

IN AN INDUSTRY where reliability, professionalism, and experience are paramount, RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd has emerged as a leading provider of security services and training across Wales. Founded in November 2021 by Company Director Ryan Mayne and Kerry Mcreynolds, they were joined by General Manager Mathew Davies in 2022, the company has grown into a trusted name in the security sector, offering high-quality training programs, security staffing, and event protection.
Now, with a team of around 300 employees, RM Training is poised to expand its operations in Pembrokeshire and beyond, ensuring businesses, event organisers, and hospitality venues have access to qualified security personnel in a sector where demand is at an all-time high.
From high-risk security to building a future in Pembrokeshire

For Ryan Mayne, the security industry is not just a business—it’s a lifelong career shaped by real-world experience in high-risk environments. With over two decades in top-tier security roles, Ryan has worked in some of the UK’s largest clubs, corporate settings, and high-profile protection services, dealing with situations that were often tense, unpredictable, and dangerous.
“When I think back to some of the things I saw and some of the incidents I had to deal with, it scares me,” Ryan reflects.
But his life changed during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Home Office deployed him to Pembrokeshire to help manage refugee and asylum seeker security operations. It was here that he fell in love with the county, leading to a decision that would shape both his personal and professional future.
“I was deployed to a site near Tenby, and it didn’t take me long to realise just how fantastic Pembrokeshire is,” Ryan explains. “I knew this was the place where I wanted to build something new.”
That decision was cemented by his relationship with Tenby native Kerry McReynolds, who he is due to marry in September.
“We knew Pembrokeshire was the place where we wanted to bring up our children,” Ryan says. “So it made sense to set up the company here too.”
While Ryan handles the strategic direction and business growth, Kerry plays a pivotal role in the company’s success, managing client relations, staff retention, and back-office operations, all while raising their two-year-old son, Archie.
“She’s the driving force,” Ryan says. “None of this would be possible without her.”

When it comes to ensuring the smooth operation of a security business, General Manager Mathew Davies is the man who makes it happen. With a background in both military and civilian security, Mathew brings a wealth of experience, discipline, and leadership to RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd, making him a key figure in its rapid growth and ongoing success.
Since joining forces with Company Director Ryan Mayne, Mathew has played a pivotal role in overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations, staff training, and client relationships, helping RM Training establish itself as one of the leading security providers in Pembrokeshire and South Wales.
Mathew’s journey into the security industry was forged through years of hands-on experience in demanding environments. His military background instilled a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking, all of which have proven invaluable in his role at RM Training.
After transitioning into civilian security, Mathew quickly climbed the ranks, demonstrating a deep understanding of risk management, personnel coordination, and high-pressure decision-making. These skills now form the backbone of RM Training’s success, ensuring that every security operation runs seamlessly.
Empowering Pembrokeshire’s Workforce with security training
One of RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd’s primary objectives is to provide local people with a structured pathway into the security industry.
The company offers over 140 online and practical courses, covering a wide spectrum of security roles including: Door supervision for pubs, clubs, and licensed venues
Corporate security for offices and commercial spaces
Retail security for shopping centres and stores
Event and festival security
Site and property security
A core focus is Security Industry Authority (SIA) accredited training, ensuring trainees receive recognised qualifications required to work in the sector.
Their newly established office in Port Talbot is also playing a key role in retraining workers affected by the Tata Steel job losses, helping individuals transition into security careers following redundancy.
“Our goal is not just to train people but to give them career progression opportunities,” Ryan explains. “This industry is about keeping people safe, and that starts with having well-trained professionals.”
Expanding security services across Wales

Beyond training, RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd provides security services for a wide range of businesses. The company currently supports: Bars, pubs, and nightclubs struggling to find licensed and reliable door staff
Retail and corporate businesses in need of on-site security operatives
Festivals and major events requiring crowd management teams
Close protection and private security clients
With over 200 events already booked for 2024, RM Training is becoming the go-to security provider for major gatherings across South Wales.
But for General Manager Mathew Davies, ensuring quality and reliability is just as important as expansion.
“He’s the one who makes sure the staff are doing what they’re supposed to be doing, while offering them all the support they need,” says Ryan. “Mathew works 24/7 to ensure our high standards never slip.”
The company now aims to secure additional security contracts across Pembrokeshire, addressing a major shortage of trained security personnel in the region.
“The reality is that there simply aren’t enough trained security professionals in Pembrokeshire,” Ryan explains. “Businesses struggle to find reliable door staff and event security. We’re here to fix that.”
The future for RM Training & Security Solutions Ltd
As RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd continues its growth trajectory, the company remains committed to: Expanding its presence in Pembrokeshire and South Wales
Training the next generation of security professionals
Providing reliable security solutions to businesses and event organisers
Raising awareness of the industry’s importance in safeguarding communities
With a dedicated team, strong leadership, and a clear vision, RM Training is not just building a security business—it’s building a safer Pembrokeshire.
For more information, visit:
www.rmtrainingandsecuritysolutionsltd.co.uk
[email protected]
01834 526418
Business
Welsh food and drink strengthen Welsh and Japanese ties

A DELEGATION of Welsh companies have recently visited Japan, as the industry continues to target opening new markets for its food and drink products.
Foodex Japan is Asia’s largest food and drink exhibition, with the Welsh Government supporting the presence of a number of producers under the Cymru/Wales banner.
The visit comes against a backdrop of wider events being held as part of ‘Wales and Japan 2025’, which is a year-long campaign by the Welsh Government to stimulate new economic and cultural partnerships between the two nations, with the aim of bringing long-lasting benefits to both countries.

Wales has long-standing economic ties with Japan, particularly due to inward investment by Japanese companies into Wales since the 1970s, and is currently home to 70 Japanese companies.
The Welsh delegation at Foodex included a specially made eki stamp at their exhibition stall. Eki stamps are collectible rubber ink stamps found at many train stations in Japan, and are a form of souvenir with designs typically featuring landmarks, mascots, or locally produced goods. As part of the ‘Wales and Japan 2025’ celebrations, Welsh illustrator Jonathan Edwards has created a series of five unique designs which celebrate the culture of the two nations.
Among the Welsh exhibitors at Foodex Japan were Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), Aber Falls, Café de Manha, The Lobster Pot and Morning Foods.
HCC also hosted a ‘Celebration of Welsh Lamb’ event in conjunction with Welsh Government at a restaurant in Tokyo, which specialises in lamb. Chef Kazuhiro Kikuchi is a well-known advocate of lamb, having published ‘Tokyo Lamb Story’, and presented a chef’s table of Welsh lamb for buyers and potential customers.
The latest figures on Welsh food and drink exports show that their value has risen by £243m – or 43% – since 2019. Welsh food and drink exports to non-EU countries were worth £202m in 2023, which is an increase of £63m since 2019, with the value of exported goods to Asia and Oceania during 2023 being £46m, a 34% increase from £34m in 2019.
The Welsh Government’s Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said,
“Foodex Japan is always an important event for Welsh food and drink companies, as we continue our push to open new markets and show what we can offer on a global scale.
“It is especially important this year as we celebrate the rich cultural and economic ties between Wales and Japan. It is an opportunity to develop and strengthen our relationships, and I’m sure the companies flying the flag for Wales will be able to build new and meaningful partnerships that are beneficial to both countries.”
A four-day event held at Tokyo Big Sight, Foodex Japan plays host to over 2,500 food and drink companies from more than 60 countries and regions. It is a hub for food and drink buyers from across Asia, as well as Japan, and provides a key opportunity to promote and build on the reputation of Welsh food and drink and connect with new customers across the region.
One of the companies in the delegation is whisky producer, Aber Falls. Talking about the visit, Managing Director Edward Williamson said,
“We’re keen to grow our exports and are really grateful for the support of Welsh Government to be able to attend events such as these.
“Increasingly whisky from Wales has a fantastic story to tell, with a number of distilleries, including ours, securing coveted PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status. This shows how unique our product is, with a taste that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. The chance to raise awareness of this story in such an important whisky market as Japan, and Asia more generally, is fantastic, and we plan to make the most of it.
Another company looking to expand their offering overseas is Anglesey-based The Lobster Pot. With a history of supplying Welsh pot caught lobster dating back to 1946, the company is hopeful that the trip will help open new markets. Julie Hill from The Lobster Pot said,
“Events such as Foodex gives us an opportunity to show what Welsh produce can offer the world.
“We’re able to give our customers a fantastic product, which is quality, sustainably-sourced shellfish. As experienced exporters to Japan, we’re hopeful that the visit will help build on our current relationships, as well as opening new opportunities in the country, and the rest of Asia.”
For more information on how the Welsh Government can assist your business with reaching new markets through trade events visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/growing-your-business/trade-events
For more information on how the Welsh Government can assist your business with exporting please visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/export/
Crime
Calls to amend payout rules for wrongly convicted

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who spent five years behind bars for a crime he did not commit has been denied compensation under what legal experts describe as an “inhumane” and “cruel” government policy.
Brian Buckle, who was exonerated of all charges in 2023 after a gruelling legal battle, has spoken of his devastation upon receiving a rejection letter from the Ministry of Justice. The letter acknowledged his innocence but stated that he had failed to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that he had not committed the crimes.
The decision has reignited fierce debate over the 2014 law change that places the burden of proof on victims of wrongful conviction, a policy unique to England and Wales. Critics argue that the system is designed to minimise payouts, leaving innocent individuals without financial support to rebuild their lives after years of wrongful imprisonment.
FIVE YEARS BEHIND BARS FOR A CRIME HE DID NOT COMMIT
Mr Buckle was imprisoned in 2017 after being convicted of sexual offences he always denied. His case was finally overturned after a five-year fight that saw his legal team present new witnesses and fresh forensic evidence during a three-week retrial. A jury took just over an hour to return a unanimous “not guilty” verdict.
But despite being completely exonerated, Mr Buckle has been denied compensation for his ordeal. The legal fees required to clear his name totalled nearly £500,000, a sum he was eligible to claim in compensation. However, his application was refused on the grounds that he had not met the “beyond reasonable doubt” standard of proof that he did not commit the crimes — despite the courts ruling that he was innocent.
“I just burst out crying when I read the letter,” said Mr Buckle. “What more do I need to do to prove I’m innocent? I’ve lost five years of my life, my job, my pension. People are absolutely gobsmacked when I tell them I’ve been refused compensation.”
A LAW DESIGNED TO DENY PAYOUTS?
The 2014 law change, introduced by the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government, shifted the burden onto the wrongly convicted to prove their innocence beyond reasonable doubt. Critics say this effectively “reverses the presumption of innocence” and was introduced to limit government compensation payments.
Since 2016, 93% of applications for miscarriage of justice compensation have been rejected, according to government figures. Leading barrister Stephen Vullo KC, who represented Mr Buckle, has described the system as “almost impossibly high” and “designed to ensure money is not paid out.”
“It’s not by accident, it’s by design,” he said. “It sends a message that the state doesn’t accept responsibility when it gets things wrong.”
The injustice of the current system has been further exposed by the government’s handling of the Post Office Horizon scandal. Unlike individual miscarriage of justice cases, which have been largely ignored, thousands of wrongfully convicted sub-postmasters were awarded compensation only after overwhelming public pressure, following the ITV drama “Mr Bates vs The Post Office.”
“The government’s response is driven by fear of embarrassment,” said Mr Vullo. “The system should be fair so that everybody receives compensation, not just those whose cases attract media attention.”
Legal experts argue that England and Wales must follow Scotland, Northern Ireland, and most of Europe, where wrongful conviction compensation is awarded based on the miscarriage of justice itself, without requiring proof of innocence.
LOCAL MP FIGHTS FOR JUSTICE

Mr Buckle’s case has caught the attention of Ceredigion MP Ben Lake, who has vowed to fight for a change in the law. He is hosting a debate in Westminster to highlight the injustices faced by victims of wrongful conviction.
“I was appalled when I heard Brian’s story,” said Mr Lake. “Miscarriages of justice have always happened and always will. But when the state makes a mistake and an innocent person spends years behind bars, it should ensure they are compensated for that injustice.”
Mr Lake is pushing for the law to be reversed and made retrospective so that people like Mr Buckle can claim the compensation they deserve.
A FAMILY DEVASTATED BY INJUSTICE
The years spent in prison have left Mr Buckle suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the emotional toll has extended to his family. His daughter Georgia has spoken openly about her own struggles, including suicidal thoughts during her father’s imprisonment.
“I’m definitely not the same person I was before,” said Mr Buckle. “I can’t keep a job because my head is all over the place. Every single night, all I dream about is being in prison or trying to get out.”
He believes an apology and compensation would be a step towards recognising the harm done to him.
“I will take what happened to me to the grave. Money won’t change how I am mentally, but it’s about the principle — the justice system admitting they got it wrong.”
With pressure mounting and a Law Commission review of the compensation system underway, there is growing hope that the law may be overturned. For Mr Buckle and others like him, that change cannot come soon enough.
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