News

Council in email data protection blunder

Published

3 years ago

October 22, 2021

A ‘HUMAN ERROR’ is being blamed for a recent data protection blunder at Pembrokeshire County Council after an email which contained contact details for 70 businesses was sent out on Friday (Oct 15).

The email, which was sent from the Trade Waste team at the Council, was sent to businesses who have trade waste agreements with the council informing them that their trade waste would cease due to them not returning their agreements.

The content of the email was intended to be read by the recipient only, however due to a human error instead of the businesses being added through the Blind Copy function – meaning no recipient can see who else is in the email thread – they were sent in the copy function – meaning all 70 businesses could see each other’s personal email addresses.

Not only were email addresses shared, it also tells all 70 recipients that they have each failed to return their waste agreement and that their contracts will be ceased.

The Herald was contacted by a number of businesses who expressed their disappointment at the council for their lack of privacy for account holders.

One local business owner, who wishes to remain anonymous said: “I am deeply concerned that the council have shared my personal information with 69 other businesses.

“Not only does the sharing of my email address make it possible to be identified personally, and as a business, but it also informs others that I no longer have a trade waste agreement with the Council.

“As a business owner we have extremely strict data protection rules that we must adhere to for both staff and customers and I would expect an organisation such as a council to have more stringent policies in place to avoid this.

“This is wholly unacceptable and I have made my feelings very clear through a formal complaint.”

An email was later sent to all recipients to apologise for the incident and ask for the email to be irretrievably deleted.

The council has said despite employees having to sign up to a data protection policy on start of employment and regular training is given – this mistake was down to ‘human error’.

A small data protection team has been set up to deal with the incident and they have assured this newspaper that remedial action will be taken to ensure this does not happen again.

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson said: “On 15 October 2021, an e-mail was sent to 70 email addresses informing them that they had not returned their trade waste agreements to the trade waste team and as a result collections of their trade waste would cease.

“As a result of human error, the email contacts were not blind copied and all recipients were therefore made aware of each other’s email addresses.

“As soon as this error was identified, this was reported to the Data Protection team and a follow up email was sent to all affected parties apologising and asking for the email to be irretrievably deleted.

“This incident will be logged and followed up by the Data Protection Team with remedial actions recommended to help ensure this does not happen again.

“Pembrokeshire County Council endeavours to meet the highest standards when collecting and using personal data.

“A Data Protection Policy is in place which all employees have to sign up to on commencement of their employment and regular training is provided.

“A small dedicated Data Protection Team is in place to offer advice and assistance with monitoring compliance.”

Crime

Former Pembroke Dock mayor admits child abuse image charges

Published

7 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AT Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 10), former Pembroke Dock Mayor Terry Judkins has pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

Judkins, who held office as mayor from May 2021 until his resignation in November 2021, faced multiple charges related to child abuse images.

The court heard that Judkins was charged with creating two Category C indecent images of children and possessing a prohibited image of a child during a period spanning from September 27, 2018, to August 5, 2021.

The 55-year-old admitted to these offences in a hearing that has drawn considerable attention.

However, Judkins denied charges related to possessing extreme pornographic images that depicted bestiality, covering a timeline from January 2010 to August 2021.

Prosecutor Helen Randall indicated that the Crown would pursue a trial on these allegations given Judkins’ not guilty plea.

Additional charges against Judkins include making 52 Category A indecent images of children within the same dates as his earlier admissions.

The former mayor has been granted extra time to consider his plea on this charge, with a future court appearance scheduled for a later date.

This case has cast a shadow over Judkins’ brief tenure as mayor. He resigned last year citing personal reasons and extra work commitments.

News

Welsh rally star eyeing second British championship success

Published

14 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

OSAIN PRYCE is eyeing his second British Rally Championship (BRC) title after a recording a superb victory in the Severn Valley Stages.

The Welsh star and co-driver Rhodri Evans finished 20 seconds ahead of Irish driver William Creighton, with championship leader Chris Ingram claiming third place.

The result left Pryce 15 points adrift of Ingram after two rounds and boosted his chances of adding to his 2022 British title success.

Pryce was excellent in his Ford Fiesta Rally2, wowing the sizeable crowds who lined iconic stages such as Hafren Sweet Lamb and Myherin.

The Welshman established an early lead over Ingram before withstanding a charge by Creighton to claim his first BRC victory since Rally Yorkshire in 2022.

“It’s a big relief – I’m so happy to get the win,” Pryce said. “We had a dodgy couple of stages at the end, and to be honest, it was so slippy, but I drove at a pace where I was comfortable.

“I did lose some time, which in the end wasn’t too bad, but we certainly had some hairy moments just trying to keep it on the road. Credit to everyone who’s got me here. Top job from Rhodri too – that’s his first-ever win!

While Ingram currently leads the standings by four points from Creighton, the Irishman could be the biggest threat to Pryce’s title hopes.

He is still getting to grips with his new Ford Fiesta Rally2 car, but has recorded back-to-back second place finishes to force his way into contention.

Bettors in Creighton’s homeland have backed their compatriot to emerge victorious this season, forcing bookmakers to cut his odds to win the title.

Several of the best Irish betting sites also make him the favourite to win the upcoming Jim Clark Rally in Scotland later this month.

However, Pryce will fancy his chances of claiming another victory as he strives to follow up his impressive 2022 British title success.

The Welshman won four of the seven events that season to clinch top spot by an emphatic 19-point margin from Keith Cronin.

With two of the final four rallies of the season set to be staged in Wales, Pryce could be a good bet to upset the odds over the next few months.

He has previously won Rali Ceredigion and the Cambrian Rally, which should give him the confidence he needs to secure another British title.

Farming

King Charles III is new Royal Welsh Agricultural Society patron

Published

15 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Tom Sinclair

KING CHARLES III has continued a royal tradition by agreeing to become the new patron of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS).

As Prince of Wales, he consistently supported the RWAS, having visited the Royal Welsh Show seven times from 1969 to 2019 and he opened the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in 2001.

“To have the monarch as our patron is very special,” said Aled Rhys Jones, RWAS chief executive. “We are immensely grateful to His Majesty for continuing his support to the society.

“He is a true champion of rural matters and has a deep affection for Wales. His support as patron will be a great endorsement to the work we do in promoting Welsh agriculture.”

The decision follows a review of the patronages of the late Queen, the former Prince of Wales and the former Duchess of Cornwall. The letter from Buckingham Palace to the RWAS read: ‘His Majesty would be delighted to accept’.

The Queen was patron of the RWAS for 70 years and showed great support. Her support reflected her long-lasting interest in Welsh agriculture, horticulture and rural affairs.

The Queen’s first official role with the RWAS was as Princess Elizabeth in 1947, when she was honorary president. She undertook a triumphant tour of the showground during a visit to the Royal Welsh Show, held in Carmarthen.

The late Queen had followed her late father, George VI, and her grandfather, George V in accepting the patronage.

King George V first became patron as Prince of Wales in 1907 and formally as King in 1911. His Silver Challenge Cup for the best Welsh Cob then became known as the George Prince of Wales Challenge Cup, one of the most famous cups presented at the Royal Welsh Show annually.