News
Cllr David Simpson: ‘I wasn’t sacked, I resigned’
Cllr Jamie Adams: Simpson says he is ‘a capable boy with bad judgement’
THE HERALD can reveal the story behind the shock departure of popular and respected County Councillor David Simpson from the Council Cabinet. In an official statement, the Council have claimed he was sacked. Councillor Simpson, however, a Justice of the Peace, told The Herald that the truth is that he resigned.
CLLR SIMPSON: ‘I RESIGNED!’
CONCERN about the conduct of a fellow Cabinet member was one of the reasons why David Simpson decided to step down from the Cabinet and leave the IPPG.
Councillor Simpson described the efforts of Cllr Rob Lewis to derail the investigatory committee into Bryn Parry Jones as the key reason for his decision to resign.
Speaking with our assistant editor Jon Coles on Friday afternoon after his departure from the Housing portfolio he has held for eight years, Councillor Simpson said:
“I decided to go that because of some of the things that have gone on. Two members came to me, Peter Morgan and Mark Edwards: Mark was very, very concerned that Cllr Rob Lewis the Deputy Leader was trying to intimidate Peter; particularly that pressure was being applied to stop Peter appearing before the Committee (investigating CEO Bryn Parry Jones) next Monday. Rob Lewis was doing his best to dissuade Peter from attending.
“I had heard about this over the preceding days while I had been away on holiday. I met with Peter and Mark yesterday evening and what they said was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I made a decision then that I would resign.”
Cllr David Simpson: “the straightest and best man on the whole Council”, said Cllr Peter Morgan
The Herald spoke to The Havens representative Peter Morgan about what David Simpson had told us.
Cllr Morgan told The Herald: “David is the straightest and best man on the whole Council. If there was ever anyone you want to talk to about a problem you are having, it is him; everyone on the Council will tell you that about him. Pembrokeshire County Council can’t afford to do without him.”
He added: “I spoke with David last night and said that Rob Lewis has spoken to me about appearing before the investigatory committee. My position is that pressure won’t work on me. I will do what is right. When I spoke to Jamie Adams last night, I told him the same thing.”
Pembrokeshire Herald readers will recall that it was Cllr Rob Lewis who acted as Bryn Parry-Jones’ intermediary when Peter Morgan and Mark Edwards were summoned to meet the CEO and subjected to a foul-mouthed tirade for voting that he should be asked to return money paid to him unlawfully by the Council. Cllr Lewis was also suspended from the Council for his underhand activities in using the Council’s facilities to run the IPPG’s last election campaign. He is widely credited with creating the dodgy dossier handed by Monitoring Officer to Tim Kerr QC ahead of February’s vote of no confidence in Bryn.
The Herald understands that Rob Lewis arranged a meeting between Peter Morgan and Laurence Harding, the Council’s own Monitoring Officer who is supposed to ensure members abide by the Code of Conduct. We understand that the meeting took place in the members’ room at County Hall, where Peter Morgan found the Monitoring Officer waiting to see him.
We put Laurence Harding’s involvement to Peter Morgan, who confirmed: “Laurence Harding met with me to discuss my attendance at the investigatory committee on Monday (Sep 29). He told me that if I didn’t want to attend, if I just left him a signed note it would all be okay and I wouldn’t have to go.”
Monitoring Officer Laurence Harding: Encouraged Cllr Peter Morgan that he could make a written submission instead of being questioned by councillors on Monday’s CEO disciplinary investigation.
“CABINET HAVE BEEN KEPT IN THE DARK”
On the subject of his meeting with Jamie Adams this morning, David Simpson said:
“I met with Jamie Adams, the Leader, this morning (Friday, Sept 26). I have had concerns for several months, if not two years, about the make-up of the Cabinet, about the dissemination of information down to the Cabinet, and the fact that the Cabinet is a two tier system. You have the leader and his two deputies and then the rest of the Cabinet; the rest of the Cabinet are just kept in the dark.
“I have been unhappy with this for the last two years and I have told Jamie that on many occasions and have been dissatisfied. There have been several instances over the last few months that I have been unhappy with.
“Last night, after meeting with Mark and Peter, I spoke to Ian Westley, the acting Head of Service, to tell him of my resignation. I also phoned Lyn Hambidge, who has been especially supportive during my time in Housing. She was vital to the achievement of my first goal in housing, which was to drive down the amount the Council was paying in bed and breakfast for homeless people. That was over a million pounds a year when I started and I think was under £20,000 last year.”
County Hall: News of Simpson’s departure from cabinet a shock to many
HOW ADAMS SPUN THE NEWS
When The Herald discussed the morning’s events with David Simpson, a very different picture emerged than that reported by the Council. Cllr Simpson told us:
“I met with the leader this morning. He told me he was getting rid of the two deputies, which is something I had hoped for, although I was disappointed they were remaining in the Cabinet, and there were also two members coming out of Cabinet. One was David Pugh, which I thought was a good move after the debacle with the grants scheme, and then he informed me that the other one was going to be me. I was aghast and reminded him that I put more hours into my Cabinet role than he did, or any other member of Cabinet and I have never embarrassed him like others have in the past and have been very supportive of him.
Cllr Simpson added: “When the email from Bob Kilmister suggesting that I could be a leader of a “Grand Alliance” came round, I knew nothing about it. I laughed about it really and thought it was a marvellous thing to do – from Bob Kilmister’s point of view – to put the cat among amongst the pigeons.
“I told Jamie that I had not envisaged being sacked and I came here this morning intending to resign – and that can be verified by Ian Westley and Lyn Hambidge – and so I told him, before you ask me to step down, I resign.
“I drove five minutes down the road to County Hall; phoned Sue Sanders, who does administration for members and asked for the form to sign as I was resigning from the Cabinet and the Independent group – I think it was impossible for me to remain in the group and preserve my own integrity – and she said: “Haven’t you looked at the website yet?”
“It was clear everything had been pre-planned, but the fact remains I resigned.
THE DOWNFALL OF THE IPPG
On the subject of the Leader, Cllr Simpson said: “I think Jamie Adams is a very capable boy at public speaking but has a lot of bad judgement in the people he appoints. I haven’t got a lot of time for him anymore. I fully supported that man as leader. I told him I was there to support him. I told him that Cabinet was there to support him. But unfortunately he doesn’t confide in Cabinet.”
“I have told Jamie Adams that under no circumstances would I stand against him. For the last two years I have been asked to stand against him on a number of occasions. On each occasion I have refused because I thought he needed a chance to get on with the job. I have also had disputes with him in as much I do not like some of the decisions and appointments he has made. But I was Cabinet member and he was the leader.”
“I have no intention of starting a campaign for me to be leader against Jamie Adams. I never wanted it. I don’t want it now.”
One of the key points the Justice of the Peace made when we spoke to him he said “I can see the downfall of the Independent group.”
“Brian Hall is trying to form his own group at the moment and he supposedly has several members. If you take three or four people out of the Independent Group plus Brian Hall, you are taking votes away from Jamie and his majority.
“Jamie will lose his position. He is doing it himself. He is on the self-destruct button.
THANKING THE STAFF
“Housing has been my passion for the last eight years. I have been wonderfully supported by the housing staff over the last eight years. I can tell you that everyone in that department gives 110%. They are fantastic and helped make my job a lot easier. Where I go from here I don’t know. Being in the opposition was the furthest thing from my mind in my entire political career.”
The full report of David Simpson’s straight-talking interview will be in next week’s Pembrokeshire Herald: Issue 66, Friday October 3.
A WELSH GOVERNMENT grant is helping to increase the number of Welsh-speaking teachers and teaching assistants in secondary schools, by supporting innovative solutions to staffing shortages.
The Welsh-medium capacity building grant, which has £900,000 available for the next academic year, is now open for applications. The funding will be available for use from September 2025.
In 2024, Ysgol Rhydywaun in Aberdare used the grant to train existing staff to teach outside their normal subject areas. As a result, the school was able to introduce two new A Level subjects—Psychology and Criminology—allowing pupils to continue their studies in Welsh and broadening their subject choices.
The funding also enabled collaboration with nearby schools to develop enrichment activities, particularly in Maths.
Headteacher Lisa Williams said: “At Rhydywaun, the education workforce capacity grant has ensured a high quality of provision and resources for our pupils, and successful professional learning opportunities for our staff.
Through the grant we have been able to recruit and retain teachers more proactively and develop expertise within the profession. As a result, we’ve seen an improvement in pupils’ performance and academic achievement.”
Last year, 55 grants were awarded to Welsh-medium or bilingual secondary schools across Wales. Schools have used the funding in various ways, including:
- Offering gap-year work experience and apprenticeships to young people as teaching assistants in Welsh-medium schools.
- Encouraging collaboration across schools to deliver professional learning in subject shortage areas.
- Providing undergraduate students with classroom placements to promote teaching as a career option.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said:
“Developing a teaching workforce that can deliver education through the medium of Welsh is essential to creating more Welsh speakers. This grant is just one of the innovative schemes helping us achieve that goal.
We’re committed to supporting learners to reach their full potential and giving teachers the professional development they need to raise standards.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, added: “We want to build a Wales where every learner has a fair opportunity to speak Welsh. Our Welsh Language and Education Bill sets out how we will move forward together towards our target of one million Welsh speakers.
Grants like this are helping to ensure we have the workforce needed to make that ambition a reality.”
However, the scheme has not been without criticism.
Responding after the Welsh Government announced the new round of funding, Laura Doel, national secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said: “This grant scheme does nothing to fundamentally address the shortages of Welsh medium teachers and we urge caution in encouraging teachers to teach outside their specialisms.
“It is no substitute for proper investment in addressing recruitment and retention issues, including by addressing excessive workload, restoring the value of pay and attracting new Welsh speakers into the profession – rather than simply redistributing the capacity of those who can.
“The Welsh Language and Education Act is woefully unrealistic, with no plan to properly support the workforce to speak Welsh. It is setting the profession up to fail.”
The Welsh-medium capacity building grant forms part of a wider strategy to grow the Welsh-speaking teaching workforce. Other schemes include:
- Cynllun Pontio – helping Welsh speakers in primary schools or from outside Wales become secondary school teachers in Welsh-medium schools.
- Iaith Athrawon Yfory Incentive Scheme – offering a £5,000 grant to students training to teach in Welsh or to teach Welsh as a subject.
- Welsh in Education Teacher Retention Bursary – a £5,000 bursary for secondary teachers who have taught in Welsh or through Welsh for three years since 2020 and remain in post in their fourth year.
- Alternative routes into teaching – expanding Open University and school-based programmes such as a new accredited course at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
- Language skills development – a range of free Welsh language courses for teachers, including the National Centre for Learning Welsh’s Sabbatical Scheme.
Applications for the Welsh-medium capacity building grant are open now.
A VISIT by a senior UK Government figure last week saw industry leaders highlight the crucial role of the Milford Haven Waterway in delivering energy, supporting jobs, and driving economic growth across the UK.
The representative met with members of the Milford Haven Energy Cluster – a partnership of key local and national stakeholders – to discuss the region’s contribution to both current energy security and future net zero ambitions.
Milford Haven is the UK’s largest energy port and handles around 20% of the country’s energy needs. It is home to major infrastructure including LNG terminals, a refinery, and a gas-fired power station, and is at the forefront of developing new clean energy projects such as floating offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture.
Industry leaders stressed the need for long-term investment in port infrastructure, grid connectivity, and workforce skills to ensure the region can meet its full potential in supporting the UK’s green energy transition.
A spokesperson for the Milford Haven Energy Cluster said: “We were pleased to showcase how Pembrokeshire is positioned to lead the UK’s clean energy future. The commitment and collaboration here is real – but we need the right policy frameworks and investment to unlock our potential.”
The Herald understands the visit was part of a broader series of stakeholder engagements by national policymakers and officials to assess the UK’s evolving energy landscape.
DYFED-POWYS POLICE received a report of a two-vehicle collision on the westbound A40 between Arnold’s Hill and Slebech at around 8:30am on Monday (Apr 7).
The road was partially closed while the vehicles were recovered and fully reopened by approximately 10:30am.
No injuries were reported.
Floating wind farm boom could bring jobs bonanza to Pembrokeshire
Milford Haven among ports shortlisted for turbine assembly as £1.4bn Celtic Sea energy project nears final stage PEMBROKE PORT in...
Carmarthenshire kidnap victim speaks out: ‘I thought I was going to die’
THE MUSIC producer lured to West Wales and brutally assaulted in a staged kidnap plot has spoken publicly for the...
Welsh pensioners to receive state pension increase amidst mixed reactions
STARTING this month, over 600,000 pensioners across Wales will see their State Pensions rise by up to £470 annually, following...
Spot checks uncover taxi issues in Milford Haven and Neyland
Six suspensions, untaxed vehicle and missing badges found SPOT checks on taxis and private hire vehicles in Milford Haven, Neyland...
Fire chief praises crews for response to grass fires
Over 250 incidents tackled during dry spell THE CHIEF Fire Officer of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service...
Man paralysed after being shot during weapons test at Pendine MoD range
Defence firm fined £800,000 over ‘devastating’ safety failure A CIVILIAN weapons expert was left paralysed from the neck down after...
Former police superintendent dismissed for gross misconduct
Misogynistic behaviour spanned three years, hearing told A FORMER senior officer has been dismissed from Dyfed-Powys Police following a gross...
Royal visit celebrates Pembrokeshire charity’s community impact
STAFF, volunteers and visiting pupils at Lower Treginnis Farm were delighted to welcome a very special guest on Wednesday (April...
Valero refinery escapes Trump’s new tariffs
Fuel imports spared as US tries to avoid price hikes THE VALERO oil refinery in Pembroke has escaped the impact...
Leaked messages point to leadership crisis at HMP Parc
Staff mocked suicide and bragged about assaults as G4S failed to intervene A CULTURE of violence, cruelty and neglect flourished...
-
Business6 days agoSpaceX eyes Milford Haven for new UK facility
-
Crime7 days agoPembrokeshire farm worker accused of threatening to burn employer’s farm
-
Crime7 days ago‘Yeah but no but’ insult to female officer lands Monkton man with court fine
-
Features7 days ago‘We weren’t wild. We were unprotected’: A generation groomed and forgotten
-
Crime6 days agoLeaked messages reveal shocking culture at HMP Parc amid misconduct probe
-
Crime7 days agoInquest reveals tragic consequences of inadequate medication in prison
-
Community7 days agoTenby boat lift signals start of tourist season in Pembrokeshire
-
Crime7 days agoPub worker gets suspended sentence for failing to do unpaid work
Michael Evans
September 26, 2014 at 9:15 pm
Jamie Adams has brought nothing but shame on this great county of ours. I look forward to the day when that irritating smirk is wiped off his face when he is forced out of office and sent back to his farm where he belongs! !!
tomos
September 26, 2014 at 10:15 pm
Gordon Bennet, we don’t want honest and decent ppl in the iPG – SACK ‘EM, oh, hang on you have :((
Stephen
September 27, 2014 at 12:28 am
As someone who has just stopped working for the local authority (in a somewhat different capacity), I am amazed to see how very close to my own experience the story Cllr. Simpson has to tell is. I think there is something deeply ingrained in how the council operates, from the very highest echelons to the very lowest levels, which is about opportunism, bullying, and an earnest desire to get one over on anyone who dares demonstrate the slightest dissent.
We may lose out in the short term, but it is the authority – and the residents of Pembrokeshire – who will lose out long-term, as the council continues to purge itself of anyone other than forelock-tuggers, yes-men, those who lack the imagination to object to anything their self-imagined “betters” could come up with, and those too frightened by seeing what happens to others to risk sticking their own necks out.
It’s not a brilliant way to do business.
Allen
September 27, 2014 at 8:52 am
Once again we see the name Rob Lewis cropping up.This man should be expelled from the cabinet forthwith,His behind the scenes antic’s are unforgiving.
Dave Edwards
September 27, 2014 at 9:28 am
Has anyone measured Jamie’s nose lately/ it looks longer than last week!
Cynthia Williams
September 28, 2014 at 2:22 pm
Obviously whoever is in charge of the cabinet is off his rocker! Make no mistake, David Simpson is a great loss to the County and surrounding areas. He was the only cabinet member who delivered on his policies.Well done and thank you for your work David. If only there were more honest councillors like you who passionately wanted to make a difference to Pembrokeshire. Cllr Simpson re-established the relationship with the communities; recognising that people are more informed these days and wish to participate more and to take greater control over their own lives and their communities, and creating a means by which that element of power could be returned to people. He is anchored in the community and put the community role first and foremost in anything he does.A great loss and shame. I hope he continues to strive forward and be successful in the future.
Bob smith
September 28, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end for the downfall of Jamie Adams. He should look in the mirror for a true reflection of bad judgment. Cllr simpson is a credit to Pembrokeshire and may he continue to do so. I watch with anticipation and hope tha he strives to continue to make truth and transparency in the council for the benefit of all.
Christina Simpson
September 28, 2014 at 5:43 pm
As the wife of David Simpson I am obviously biased. However after watching and listening from the wings I feel compelled to comment on the events of the past few days. First and foremost I am absolutely disgusted by the disgraceful way Jamie Adams has treated David. It appears to me that the more committed you are to your cabinet role and the more hours you put in, the less you are thought of. I know how hard David has worked over the past eight years and how he has spent time building relationships with officers and staff. The amount of phone calls, emails and text messages of support that he has received since Friday is testament to the respect that he has gained from the people of Pembrokeshire. How many messages of support has Jamie Adams received I wonder? He quite obviously wanted rid of David because he had an opinion and was not afraid to voice it but isn\\’t that what the so called \\” independent group\\” is meant to do……be independent? David was doing the job he was meant to do and doing it extremely well but that counted for nothing in Jamie Adams\\’ view, he only wants people who will toe the line on his cabinet. Finally I would like to personally thank the many people who have shown such amazing support for David and say to you all, don\\’t put up with this farce any longer, do something to make change happen in Pembrokeshire and get rid of these leaches on our society. We need people who are there for the right reasons, people who do the job they are elected to do for the good of Pembrokeshire, not people who are there to line their own pockets. There has been far too much moral corruption for far too long and David has been penalised for trying to fight it from the inside. It is my greatest hope that a change is about to come to our County.
Dylan jones
September 28, 2014 at 9:56 pm
\”It is a reflection of the state of democracy in Pembrokeshire that a man of David Simpson\’s stature should be brought down by a bunch of power-hungry chancers. Although he seems reluctance to make a bid for the for the Leadership, it is my belief that, should he decide to do so, he would have the overwhelming support of a vast majority of right thinking members.\”
SM1968
September 29, 2014 at 7:00 pm
Come on David Simpson, the momentum is with you,as is I suspect a huge backing from colleagues and public, take Jamie down, takes his allies with him, and then take charge and sort this mess out.
Dylan Williams
September 30, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Could not agree more with SM1968! Come on David “put the cat among amongst the pigeons” and herald the downfall of Jamie Adams! You have the support, momentum and the backing of many around you – together we can make a change – never have so few had the potential to do so much with so little. This is an opportunity to make real change to Pembrokeshire and its people. What else can you lose? we are all proud of the hard work you have done and the potential and ability left in you as a CCLR is overwhelming.