MS raises alarm over lack of transparency as ICO refuses to probe MOD silence

A SENEDD Member has accused the Information Commissioner’s Office of taking an “untenable” position after it refused to investigate a complaint about the Ministry of Defence’s failure to provide details on Afghan resettlement in Wales.

South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies said the ICO’s handling of his office’s request “defies common sense” and risks fuelling public suspicion about the level of scrutiny applied to the UK Government’s Afghan relocation schemes.

Complaint dates back to October request

Mr Davies’ office first wrote to the Ministry of Defence on 15 October 2025 seeking detailed information about Afghan resettlement activity, including the MOD’s decision to utilise the Holiday Inn Express in Rhoose for housing evacuees under government schemes.

The request also sought figures relating to criminal incidents, safeguarding issues and public safety linked to the various Afghan resettlement programmes operating across the UK.

When repeated follow-ups went unanswered, a member of Mr Davies’ staff submitted a formal complaint to the ICO on his behalf — a standard practice in parliamentary offices.

ICO: complaint rejected because staff member sent it

However, an ICO case officer informed the staff member that the complaint would not be investigated because the individual who submitted it was not the same person who made the original request for information.

Mr Davies said this was “highly unusual,” noting that elected representatives routinely submit correspondence through staff. He warned that the ICO’s decision risks undermining confidence in public oversight mechanisms.

Sky News raised concerns over alleged misuse

The row comes against a backdrop of increased public scrutiny of Afghan resettlement schemes following a recent Sky News investigation. The report alleged that some applicants had exaggerated or fabricated claims of assisting British forces during the Afghanistan conflict.

The investigation cited cases of allegedly fake Taliban threat letters, staged videos purporting to show torture, and claims of attacks that could not be verified. These allegations have driven renewed calls for transparency in how resettlement decisions were made.

Davies: public safety questions remain unanswered

Mr Davies said that the MOD’s silence — and the ICO’s refusal to intervene — leaves elected representatives unable to fulfil their responsibilities to constituents.

“There are serious questions regarding the government’s various Afghan resettlement schemes – relevant both nationally and to my own constituency,” he said.

“It is concerning how obstructive authorities have been regarding the release of information, particularly that concerning crime rates and public safety. There are serious concerns many people may have been brought to Britain under false pretences and the MOD’s failure to be open and transparent will only exacerbate this.”

Formal complaint lodged

Mr Davies has now written directly to the Information Commissioner urging a review of the decision and calling for immediate steps to secure disclosure from the MOD.

He argues that without access to accurate statistics, the public cannot have confidence in oversight of the Afghan resettlement programme or the processes used to verify applicants’ claims.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S national park is expected to have a far better financial situation than previously feared, with a current underspend of nearly £600,000, and an expected balanced budget at the end of the financial year.

At the November meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Audit & Corporate Services Review Committee, a report for members said, as of September 30, the half-way mark in the financial year, the authority’s revenue position showed a net surplus of £563,000 against an expected budget deficit of £371,000; £934,000 better than expected.

It said the overall income generated by the park is £577,00 higher than budget, with trading income £232,000 over budget, through higher centre admission fees (£86,000), café sales (£23,000) and car park income (£139,000).

“The good summer weather and increased admission prices has contributed to this result,” it said.

Other financial boosts include a one-off sum of £113,000 received as compensation for increased national insurance costs, £165,000 received for capital expenditure, a payment for the National Designated landscapes Scheme received in advance, and increased merchandising sales making an additional £68,000 of profit.

It said costs overall are £404,000 under budget, but the capital programme for the year has increased from the original budget of £1,675,000 to a revised budget of £1,979,000 due the inclusion of Phase 2 of the Traeth Mawr/Newport Sands redevelopment.

It says that, at the end of the financial year, the position is forecast to be even better, with a £591,000 surplus.

“However, this assumes there is no catch-up of underspends by departments,” the report says, adding: “If we do spend in accordance to budget, then we will continue to expect a net deficit which will be met out of earmarked reserves.

“The most realistic scenario is a balanced budget for the year buffered by the additional revenue funding of £1.4m received from Welsh Government in the prior year, carried forward as an EMR and used to balance the budget.

“No deficit is therefore forecast for 25-26. Note this is estimated, before the impact of pension reserve movements and depreciation adjustments. This forecast assumes income targets are achieved and costs remain under control.”

Speaking at the meeting, Chief Executive Tegryn Jones said: “From a medium to long term the financial situation is very bleak, however it’s been a fairly positive year for us.”

He said a two per cent increase in the settlement from Welsh Government was predicted for next year, equating to a £0.75m pressure.

Members agreed to note the report as well as noting and approving the movement in earmarked reserves and increased capital budget to date.

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.