Call for full and inclusive consultation amid concerns over Ombudsman process

CAMPAIGNERS representing women born in the 1950s have welcomed the statement from Pat McFadden, Minister for Work and Pensions, acknowledging the continuing injustices faced by women affected by changes to the State Pension Age.

While Mr McFadden’s comments mark an important step forward, campaigners stressed that any future consultations must engage all groups representing 1950s-born women — not only the WASPI organisation, which has publicly stated it represents around 7% of the 3.6 million women impacted.

Mr McFadden confirmed that Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) evidence will be reviewed, with all available material considered as part of his ongoing examination. Campaigners welcomed this commitment but said that transparency, inclusivity and fairness must underpin the process if justice is to be achieved.

Concerns remain, however, over the handling of the case by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). Campaigners point out that evidence from former Pensions Ministers Baroness Ros Altmann and Sir Steve Webb, submitted during Stage One of the Ombudsman’s investigation, was disregarded by both the PHSO and the WASPI campaign. Their testimony, which highlighted major communication failures by the DWP, should have been central to establishing the scale of maladministration, discrimination, and injustice suffered by affected women.

Frustration has also grown over WASPI’s decision not to pursue a judicial review, despite clear legal grounds and widespread financial and moral support from impacted women. Campaigners say this decision — justified by WASPI on the basis it might delay progress — is now widely viewed as a missed opportunity for timely justice and accountability.

Jackie, a local organiser, said: “We appreciate Mr McFadden’s acknowledgment of the ongoing injustice and his willingness to review the evidence. However, to ensure fairness and transparency, it is essential that all groups are included in the consultation process. No one voice can claim to represent the millions of women affected — only by working together can we achieve genuine pension justice.”

She added: “The refusal to act on vital ministerial evidence, combined with the decision not to seek judicial review when the grounds clearly existed, represents a serious failure of representation. 50s-born women have waited long enough. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Campaigners are now urging unity and collaboration among all advocacy groups and individuals representing 1950s-born women. As recommended by the All-Party Parliamentary Group, they are calling for groups to come together “with one voice.” Following recent discussions with the APPG, collective support has been given to the CEDAWinLAW campaign group — backed by the 1950s Women of Wales, 50s Women United, and Pension Partners for Justice — to lead the legal and evidential effort for justice.

Campaigners are also calling for a full and independent review of the PHSO process to ensure that vital evidence is properly considered, lessons are learned, and accountability is restored.

A VOLUNTEER who has dedicated 60 years to volunteering with St John Ambulance Cymru was among those recognised at the charity’s Mid and West Wales Regional Awards for 2025.

The ceremony, which was recently held in Swansea, saw a range of volunteers and staff receive awards and commendations for their work in a range of fields from responding to emergencies to securing funds from trusts and foundations to support the charity’s work.

St John Ambulance Cymru’s Assistant Chief Commissioner (Mid and West Wales), Beth Francis OStJ said: “This ceremony gave us a valuable opportunity to come together to celebrate the great work of St John People from across our Mid and West Wales counties of Dyfed, West Glamorgan and Powys and all they have contributed to their communities.

“The number and quality of the nominations we received was a reminder of the positive impact the charity has on a daily basis, and I know the panel had a difficult task in choosing the winners from the strong list of contenders.”

Eunice O’Hara received an Ultra Long Service Medal and 2 Gilt Bars for her 60 years of dedicated service as part of St John Ambulance Cymru’s Fishguard and Haverfordwest Divisions.

Her long and distinguished career as a volunteer and fundraiser saw her become an Officer of the Order of St John, as well as a member of the Gorsedd of the Bards with the title Eunice Urdd Sant Ioan (Eunice of St John) to signify her synonymity with the charity she has dedicated so much effort to supporting.

Another significant award presented during the ceremony was the Gerallt Davies MBE CStJ Memorial Award, presented in memory of the former paramedic and National Paramedic Officer for St John Ambulance Cymru, who sadly died in 2020.

The cup is awarded to a St John Person who is active, dedicated, professional and aims to maintain and develop the highest standards whilst engaging and leading their colleagues. It is judged by an independent panel made up of external partners and members of Gerallt’s family.

The runner up, who received commendation for their impact was Gwion Morgan of Dyfed County, while the winner was Sam Davies, Operations Manager for Dyfed County, who also scooped the Volunteer of the Year Award.

There was also a Lifetime Achievement Award for Will Wall of the Abertawe Division in West Glamorgan, who has been a devoted member since 1988. In this time he supported events at Swansea’s Vetch Field for other three decades and has subsequently been on duty to support 200 games at the Swansea.com Stadium, as well as other events across the county.

Julie Carrod was the other recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, having dedicated almost 30 years of service to St John Ambulance Cymru in a range of roles including first responder, County Training Manager and Deputy Commissioner in Powys.

To find out more about St John Ambulance Cymru and to sign-up to volunteer with the charity, visit www.sjacymru.org.uk.

Corporation insists defamation claim has ‘no basis’ after apology over 2021 speech edit

THE BBC has said there is “no basis” for Donald Trump’s threatened multibillion-dollar lawsuit, insisting the disputed Panorama documentary was not broadcast in the United States and caused no reputational harm.

The corporation confirmed it has had “no further contact” from the former US president’s lawyers, despite his renewed pledge to sue for “between one and five billion dollars” over the programme Trump: A Second Chance?, which aired ahead of the 2024 US election.

The controversy centres on a January 6, 2021 speech in which Mr Trump’s remarks were edited in a way that appeared to link his words more directly to the Capitol riots. The BBC apologised last week, calling the splice “an error of judgment” but denying it was malicious or defamatory.

A spokesperson said on Saturday: “We have had no further contact from President Trump’s lawyers at this point. Our position remains the same.”

In an interview with GB News, Mr Trump said he had an “obligation” to sue, claiming: “This was so egregious. If you don’t do it, you don’t stop it from happening again with other people.”

The BBC’s lawyers have set out five key arguments rejecting liability:

• the Panorama episode was not shown on US channels and was geo-restricted to UK viewers on iPlayer;
• Mr Trump suffered no damage, having gone on to win re-election;
• the edit was intended only to shorten a lengthy speech and was not motivated by malice;
• the clip should be viewed in the context of the full hour-long programme; and
• political expression is strongly protected under US defamation law.

The fallout from the broadcast led to the resignations of director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness. Chairman Samir Shah wrote personally to the White House to apologise and confirmed a review of editorial standards is under way.

Mr Davie told staff this week: “We must stand up for our journalism. The BBC is a unique and precious organisation, and I see the free press under pressure. I’m really proud of the work we do locally and globally—it’s utterly precious.”

The Panorama episode will not be re-aired, and the BBC has posted a retraction notice on its website.