A MAN originally from Milford Haven has been expelled from Russia after being accused of espionage by the country’s security services — claims that have been strongly denied by both the British government and people who know him locally.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said that a British Embassy employee in Moscow, 45-year-old Gareth Samuel Davies, had been operating as an undercover intelligence officer and ordered him to leave the country within two weeks.

Mr Davies is understood to have attended Milford Haven School and previously lived in Steynton, near the Horse and Jockey pub, before pursuing a career in diplomacy.

Russian authorities said he was working under diplomatic cover as Second Secretary in the administrative section of the British Embassy in Moscow, and that his accreditation had been revoked under the 1961 Vienna Convention.

However, people in Pembrokeshire who know Mr Davies have disputed the espionage claim. According to those familiar with him and his work, he was not involved in spying, but was instead carrying out a legitimate embassy security and administrative role.

They say his responsibilities focused on internal security procedures, staff safety, and operational administration — duties that are standard within embassies worldwide and should not be confused with intelligence gathering. Those close to him locally describe the Russian allegations as a mischaracterisation of a routine diplomatic post.

It is understood that disruption to Mr Davies has been minimised, as his family had not yet joined him in Moscow as planned.

He is due to return to the UK via Bangkok in the coming days, as there are currently no direct flights between the UK and Russia.

The British government has dismissed the accusations as “baseless.” A spokesperson for the British Embassy in Moscow said:

“This is not the first time the Kremlin has made malicious and baseless accusations against our staff. Their targeting of British diplomats comes out of desperation.”

The spokesperson added that the UK is “carefully considering its options in response.”

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Britain’s chargé d’affaires to issue a formal protest and warned of a “decisive tit-for-tat response” should the UK escalate the situation.

Since 2024, Russia has expelled at least nine British diplomats on similar espionage allegations, all of which have been denied by London. No public evidence has been released to support the claims in this case.

Diplomatic expulsions of this kind are widely regarded as political acts rather than legal judgments, and have become increasingly common amid deteriorating relations between the UK and Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

Accused learning support teacher faces six charges linked to Milford Haven area school

A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared before magistrates charged with sexually assaulting three children at a Pembrokeshire primary school.

Dion Lewtas is accused of six sexual assaults involving three girls aged between nine and eleven. The allegations relate to incidents said to have taken place at a primary school in the Milford Haven area between August 2021 and August 2023.

The prosecution alleges Lewtas was employed at the school as a learning support teacher at the time. He is accused of hugging the children on separate occasions and touching their bottoms.

Lewtas, aged 29, of St Marks Close, Merlin’s Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he denied all six charges.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was sent to the Crown Court. Proceedings are due to continue on Thursday, February 20, when the case will be listed at Swansea Crown Court.

Lewtas was released on unconditional bail.

Dead nest discovered near Wrexham as Welsh Government urges public to report sightings to protect bees and other pollinators

A DEAD nest of the yellow-legged hornet has been found near Wrexham, in the first confirmed discovery of the invasive insect in Wales.

The yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax), also known as the Asian hornet, is not native to the UK. It originates from Asia and was first seen in France in 2004 before spreading to a number of European countries including Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland and Germany.

Welsh Government officials say the insect poses a risk to honey bees and other pollinating insects, and are asking the public to remain vigilant and report suspected sightings.

The yellow-legged hornet was first sighted in England in 2016, and action has been taken every year since to locate and destroy nests.

While queens hibernate over winter, the insect is active from February to November and is most likely to be seen from July onwards. The Welsh Government has asked the National Bee Unit, part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, to take action in line with the Asian Hornet Contingency Plan.

Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies said the National Bee Unit had years of experience tracking and locating yellow-legged hornets, adding that its expertise would be “invaluable” in helping Wales respond.

He also thanked beekeepers and members of the public who continue to report suspected sightings and urged people to familiarise themselves with what the hornets look like as the weather warms up in spring and into the summer.

Anyone who suspects they have seen a yellow-legged hornet is being asked to report it using the ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ mobile app, available on Apple and Android, or by using the online report form.

Reports should include a photograph and the location of the sighting to help experts confirm identification. Identification guides and further information are available online.

Yellow-legged hornets are not generally aggressive, but people are advised not to approach or disturb a nest, as the insects can become aggressive if they perceive a threat.

Medical advice about hornet stings is available via the NHS website.