News

Welsh Conservatives: Wales needs to prepare properly for Ukrainian refugees

Published

4 years ago

March 6, 2022

THE LEADER of the Conservatives in Wales, Andrew RT Davies says that The Welsh Labour Government should prepare properly for Ukrainian refugees “or risk letting them down, and letting Wales down.”

Writing in The Sunday Times today (Mar 6), he said that there are still Afghan refugees “living in Hotels”, and that without suitable housing their well-being will deteriorate. He does not want, he says, the same happening for those from Ukraine.

Andrew RT Davies wrote: “I first learned Putin’s forces were invading Ukraine in the very early hours of the morning on February 24th when, at about 4:30am, a business contact of mine who lives in Ukraine WhatsApped me that he was having to shut down operations because Russian shells were landing around his home.

Concerned: Andrew RT Davies (Image WAG handout)

“It was a very personal and human way to be introduced to a conflict emerging on the other side of Europe. My friend is now safe and well, having sought refuge in Moldova with his family, but the life he knew is over.

“It goes without saying we are all appalled by the reports and pictures we are now seeing daily.

“The streets people grew up on are becoming battlefields. Friends and family members, who instead of picking up their knives and forks at dinner together, are picking up weapons to defend their nation and self-determination.

“But we must differentiate between the Russian people and its so-called leadership. This is not the Russian people’s war, this is Vladimir Putin’s war – we see that from the protests that have erupted in Russia and the mass arrests that followed. A great number of people in Russia are as disgusted by the actions of that man as we are.

“While there have been some signs that Putin’s invasion isn’t going entirely to plan, we cannot ignore the size of the Russian army and the brutality to which the botoxed madman in the Kremlin is willing to resort. We’ve seen this gruesome playbook before in Chechnya and Syria.

Residents await evacuation in eastern Ukraine. (Image PA)

“So we must be ready to rise to the challenge of the enormous and growing humanitarian crisis, and I am determined that Wales plays its full part in accepting refugees from Ukraine.

“After all, Wales has form on this. During the Spanish Civil War thousands of Basque children came to Wales when Francisco Franco ordered the bombing of the Basque Country, for just one example.

“But it is important that we have the resources in place to be able to properly welcome and support people who come. We need to make sure we have the right amount of school places, appropriate health provision, and sufficient housing, to name only a few things.

“The British Government has pledged £20 million to match donations to an appeal launched by the Disasters Emergency Committee to help refugees and those caught up in Putin’s war in Ukraine, and the Welsh Government has pledged £4 million.

“It is vital we understand what resources we currently have, what resources we can offer by way of further funding for health boards, local authorities and other bodies, and we need to understand the scale of what we are expecting.

“We are already dealing with 1 in 5 Welsh people on a waiting list, lost time in education because of the pandemic, and a housing crisis due to a lack of new builds here in Wales.

“Without understanding these things Labour ministers run the risk of succeeding in warm words and hot air while failing to meet the needs of vulnerable people.

“When I questioned the First Minister earlier this week, he didn’t have an estimate of how many refugees to expect. When my colleague questioned the Education Minister on capacity to school refugee children here, there was no detail then either.

“I don’t say this to embarrass the Labour administration but to be a responsible opposition at this difficult time to ensure their generous rhetoric is matched by action. We also need to make sure that public bodies in Wales withdraw any money invested in Russia though pension funds and other schemes.

“I am proud of the role Wales has played in welcoming refugees from Afghanistan as the Taliban swept to power in their country. Indeed, a number of Afghan refugees stayed just next to the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff Bay upon arrival, playing cricket in the street and acclimatising to our somewhat colder weather.

“However, we do read stories of some Afghan refugees still living in hotels. Without suitable and sustainable housing, their well-being will deteriorate.

“So, while I am confident that refugees from warzones and countries under cruel regimes are grateful to be safe, I think we can and must do better.

“Wales has a rich and proud history of accepting refugees and evacuees from conflict. It’s time to extend that rich and proud history.

“However, if we fail to plan and prepare to welcome them properly, it won’t just be them we are letting down, but the people of Wales as well.”

Community

Councillor meets chief constable to address Monkton and Pembroke concerns

Published

26 minutes ago

February 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

COUNTY COUNCILLOR Jonathan Grimes has met with the new Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police to discuss crime, antisocial behaviour and wider community issues affecting residents in Pembroke and Monkton.

Cllr Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the meeting followed his invitation for senior police leaders to visit the area and hear first-hand about local concerns.

The Chief Constable, Ifan Charles, attended alongside officers from the Pembroke Neighbourhood Policing and Protection Team, meeting the councillor in Monkton for what were described as open and constructive talks.

As part of the visit, they also spoke with Monkton Priory Community Primary School headteacher Dylan Lawrence and Danny Nash from Pembrokeshire County Council Housing Services to gather views from education and housing professionals.

Discussions covered a range of issues raised by residents, including domestic abuse, drug and alcohol misuse, antisocial behaviour and environmental concerns such as littering, dog fouling and dangerous or inconsiderate driving.

Cllr Grimes acknowledged recent police successes, particularly in tackling drug-related activity, but said enforcement alone would not solve the area’s challenges.

He said closer cooperation between the police, council services, schools and the wider community would be needed to deliver longer-term improvements.

The councillor added that he plans to encourage residents to form a local community group in the coming weeks, aimed at developing practical solutions and strengthening partnership working across the area.

Crime

Man guilty of threatening to kill Herald editor

Published

59 minutes ago

February 2, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

13-minute abuse call followed Facebook contact – defendant warned over behaviour in court

A PEMBROKE man has been found guilty of threatening to kill the editor of the Pembrokeshire Herald during a prolonged and abusive phone call, and of a racially aggravated public order offence committed when police arrested him.

Anthony Jones, 34, of Castle Quarry, Long Mains, Monkton, was convicted of both charges following a trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

Magistrates heard the threats followed publication of an online Herald article about fly grazing and loose horses on roads in the Monkton area of Pembroke — a story raised with the newspaper by local county councillor Jonathan Grimes.

Facebook approach before call

Editor Tom Sinclair told the court he was first contacted via Facebook Messenger by a profile operating under the name “Excellence Cleaning”.

The account claimed to have information about the horses’ ownership and repeatedly asked for a direct phone number.

Mr Sinclair said he initially offered the office landline but was pressed for his mobile number instead.

Within minutes of providing it, he received a call from a withheld number at around 5:52pm.

Police later traced that number to Jones.

“On a different level”

Mr Sinclair told the court the call lasted around 13 minutes and consisted of sustained verbal abuse and threats.

He said the caller repeatedly swore at him, demanded that the Facebook article be removed, and made threats of death towards him. The caller also mentioned Cllr Grimes and threatened him as well.

Giving evidence, Mr Sinclair said: “I often receive complaints and quite aggressive calls as part of the job, but this was on a different level.”

He said he believed the threats were genuine and intended to intimidate.

After the call ended, he consulted colleague Bruce Sinclair and Cllr Grimes before contacting police.

Screenshots of the Facebook messages and the mobile phone call log were later provided to officers as evidence.

Sinclair said in evidence that he sat in his car, parked outside his house for several hours that night, keeping watch to protect his family.

“I did not take the decision to give evidence today lightly, it is because I believe that it is important that the news can be printed without fear or favour, and that journalists should not have to be bullied or threatened for just doing their jobs.”

Courtroom outburst

Jones did not give evidence in his own defence.

His solicitor told the court he accepted making the call but denied that the contents were threatening.

While Mr Sinclair was giving evidence, Jones shouted from the dock, calling him a liar. Magistrates immediately warned him about his behaviour.

After the guilty verdicts were delivered, the chairman of the bench told Jones he was lucky not to face a separate contempt of court charge because of his conduct during the hearing.

Arrest incident

The court also heard that when officers attended to arrest Jones in connection with the threats, he used threatening and abusive language towards a police officer, PC Stuart Gray.

That offence was found to be racially aggravated and to have caused harassment, alarm and distress.

Sentencing pending

Jones was found guilty on both counts.

He was released on conditional bail and will return to court later this month for sentencing, once pre-sentencing reports are completed.

Crime

Arrest made after Carmarthen park stabbing investigation

Published

1 hour ago

February 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police thank community and media following public appeal to trace suspect

AN ARREST has been made following last week’s stabbing in Carmarthen that triggered a major police search and public appeal.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the development on Monday after officers spent several days carrying out extensive searches around Carmarthen Park and surrounding areas.

The force had been trying to locate 57-year-old James McKenna in connection with an attempted murder after a woman was attacked inside the park on Thursday afternoon.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ross Evans said: “We would like to thank the media and our communities for assisting our investigation so far.”

The incident happened shortly after 4:00pm on Thursday when a woman was injured inside the park and managed to escape through the Picton Terrace entrance to raise the alarm.

Emergency services, including the Welsh Ambulance Service, attended and the victim was taken to hospital with stab wounds. Police have since confirmed she is expected to make a full recovery.

Over the weekend, officers carried out forensic examinations and systematic searches of the park, nearby allotments, wooded areas and along the River Towy. Specialist teams, including dog handlers and drone pilots, were deployed as part of the operation.

A knife believed to have been used in the attack and a rucksack were recovered during the searches.

Police have not yet released further details about the arrest or any charges.

Officers previously thanked local residents for their patience during road closures and visible policing in the area, and say enquiries remain ongoing.

Anyone with information is still urged to contact police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers.