News

A last minute trade deal that ends fears of a no-deal Brexit

Published

5 years ago

December 25, 2020

UK AND EU negotiators have announced a trade deal that ends fears of a no-deal Brexit.

With a week to go until the end of the transition period on December 31, the deal’s announcement came this afternoon (December 24).

The agreement means the UK can continue having tariff-free to the EU market. Goods coming from the EU to the UK will also be tariff-free.

Farming unions in Wales, whose industry would have been catastrophically damaged by leaving the EU without a deal, expressed relief at the news.

The negotiators reached a compromise on EU boats’ fishing access to British waters after Brexit. The settlement involves a gradual five-year adjustment to fishing quotas. During that period, British vessels will gradually increase their share of the catch.

UK citizens will be able to enjoy visa-free access to EU countries for 90 days every six months.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Senedd Paul Davies welcomed the deal.

The Preseli Pembrokeshire MS said: “The news this afternoon ends years of discussions over the UK’s future with the EU. I’m delighted the UK Government has been able to secure a deal.
“Crucially, this means that we can add the EU to the list of nearly 60 trade deals that have been secured around the World, which come into place as we enter the New Year. Those deals enable the UK to start our new journey as a strong independent nation.

“I have no doubt that, despite the challenges of Covid-19, across the UK, and especially in Wales, people and businesses will take up the opportunities that these deals provide. They will help Welsh businesses to grow and kick start the Welsh economy.”
Wales’ First Minister said that the deal was ‘thin’ and less than ideal.
Faced with a choice of this deal or no deal, Mr Drakeford said: “Welsh businesses will still face significant new barriers to trade. Welsh citizens can no longer travel freely in Europe, and there will be little in it for service sector businesses.

“Even so, this deal is better than the catastrophe which would have been a no-deal.”
Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb tweeted his congratulations to Boris Johnson, the UK’s Chief Negotiator Lord David Frost, EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Mr Crabb described the deal as ‘important for the UK, Wales, Pembrokeshire – and the EU’. He said the agreement laid a robust platform for continued trade and co-operation.

The deal’s detail means that there will still be increased checks at borders between the EU and UK and inspections at ports on food exports and imports. That will mean increased bureaucracy for firms trading with the EU. However, businesses could consider that a relatively small price to pay compared to the alternative.
With only a week to go before the end of the transition period, teething problems can be expected from January 1.

Tony Danker, CBI Director-General, congratulated both teams of negotiators for reaching a deal but sounded a cautionary note.

Mr Danker said: “This will come as a huge relief to British business at a time when resilience is at an all-time low. But coming so late in the day, both sides must take instant steps to keep trade moving and services flowing while firms adjust.”

The Speakers of both the Commons and the Lords have recalled both Houses of Parliament on December 30 when the deal will almost certainly receive overwhelming parliamentary approval.

Simon Hart MP said: “It’s been a very long journey, but I hope today’s trade deal strikes a careful balance between those for whom only a clean break would suffice, and those who voted to remain but respect referendum results.

“There will no doubt be copious analysis of the detail, but the fact that we leave on reasonable terms and that certainty is at last established I hope brings this chapter to an orderly close.

“I am very conscious that there are many who doubted (back in 2015) that we would ever win an election that committed to a referendum; that if we did we would not honour it; that if we honoured it the result would have been remain; that we would fail to deliver a withdrawal agreement; but if we did we would never get a deal – and that when all that stalled due to parliamentary numbers that we would never win an election which pledged to “get brexit done”.

“That’s all for now, but I will say more on this and Covid as we close in on the new year. It’s been tough, but our community resilience is unbeatable! Happy Christmas.”

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after Carmarthen park incident

Published

5 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

57-year-old due in court following alleged knife and stalking offences

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a serious incident in Carmarthen town centre last week.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that James McKenna, aged 57, from Carmarthen, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and stalking.

The charges relate to an incident in Carmarthen Park on Thursday (Jan 29), which prompted a significant emergency services response and caused concern among residents.

Police have not yet released full details of the circumstances, but officers were seen in and around the park area for several hours following the incident while enquiries were carried out.

McKenna is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday (Feb 5).

The Herald understands the case involves allegations of both violence and targeted behaviour towards an individual, with stalking listed among the charges.

Public concern

Carmarthen Park is a popular and busy public space used daily by families, dog walkers and joggers, and incidents of this severity are rare.

The news has prompted concern locally, particularly as the alleged offences include possession of a knife in a public place.

Residents have previously raised questions about safety in parks and open spaces across west Wales, especially during darker winter evenings.

Court proceedings

At this stage, the charges remain allegations and the case will now proceed through the courts.

Magistrates will decide whether the case is sent to Crown Court due to the seriousness of the attempted murder charge.

Further details are expected to emerge during Thursday’s hearing.

The Herald will be attending court and will provide updates as they become available.

Crime

Sex offender jailed after living off grid in Pembrokeshire and refusing to register

Published

5 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Court Reporter

Man walked into police station after months avoiding authorities

A CONVICTED sex offender who told police he intended to live “off grid” rather than comply with legal monitoring rules has been jailed after handing himself in at a Pembrokeshire police station.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

The court heard Spelman was released from prison in Dorset on July 4 last year but immediately refused to provide police with an address, despite being legally required to do so within three days.

Instead, he indicated he planned to buy a tent and live outdoors.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said officers subsequently launched a nationwide search when Spelman failed to make contact with police. Public appeals were issued and his case featured on the television programme Crimewatch.

Detectives believed he had been travelling around the UK using public transport and staying at campsites. He was known to have links to several areas including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire.

His whereabouts remained unknown until January 3 this year, when he walked into Haverfordwest police station and was arrested. It is unclear how long he had been in Pembrokeshire.

Spelman previously served seven years in prison after being convicted in 2014 of 12 counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14. He was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The court heard this was not the first time he had failed to comply with the rules. After an earlier release in 2016, he again failed to register his address and avoided police for around five years before being caught.

He has 11 previous convictions for 29 offences.

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the case as unusual and said his client had long disputed his original conviction and had expressed a wish to live “outside society”.

However, he said Spelman had gradually accepted that he remained subject to court orders and now wanted more stable accommodation and a chance to rebuild his life. The defendant asked the court to impose a custodial sentence so arrangements could be made for his future release.

Judge Geraint Walters noted there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any further breaches would result in longer prison terms.

With credit for his guilty plea, Spelman was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

11 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.