News

Senedd member Russell George being investigated by Gambling Commission

Published

2 years ago

June 25, 2024

MID Wales MS Russell George is being investigated by a gambling watchdog over alleged bets over the date of the General Election.

In a statement this evening, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies MS told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Russell George has informed me that he has received a letter from the Gambling Commission regarding bets on the timing of the General Election.

“Russell George has stepped back from the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet while these investigations are ongoing.

“All other Members of the Welsh Conservative Group have confirmed that they have not placed any bets.

“I will not issue further comment on this ongoing process, recognising the Gambling Commission’s instruction for confidentiality to protect the integrity of the process.”

Montgomeryshire MS, Mr George said in a statement: “Whilst I will cooperate fully with the Gambling Commission, it would not be appropriate to comment on this independent and confidential process.

“Doing so would only jeopardise and undermine the investigation.

“It is the Gambling Commission, not the media, that has the responsibility, powers and resources to properly investigate these matters and determine what, if any, action should be taken.

“I have stepped back from the Shadow Cabinet while the investigation is ongoing. I have done this as I do not wish to be an unnecessary distraction to their work.

“As such I will not be providing any further public comment on this until the Gambling Commission has concluded its work.”

The announcement comes on the same day the Conservative party officially withdrew their support for prospective candidate in Montgomery and Glyndwr, Craig Williams.

Crime

Drink-driver narrowly avoided collision in town centre

Published

21 seconds ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Motorist almost three times over legal limit

A DRINK-driver narrowly avoided crashing into another vehicle while almost three times over the legal alcohol limit, a court has heard.

Nathan Lloyd, 33, was seen driving a Nissan X-Trail in Haverfordwest in the early hours of December 20 without headlights.

Police followed the vehicle, which narrowly missed a car and struck a kerb before being stopped.

Lloyd, of Adams Drive, Narberth, recorded a breath reading of 97 micrograms of alcohol, nearly three times the legal limit.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order requiring 80 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. He was ordered to pay £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Drug-driving linked to paddleboard tragedy anniversary

Published

1 minute ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Court hears woman turned to cocaine to cope

A WOMAN struggling with the anniversary of the Haverfordwest paddleboard tragedy turned to cocaine to cope, a court heard.

Vicki McKinwen, 53, was stopped by police while driving a Volvo V70 in Milford Haven and later found to have 363 micrograms of benzoylecgonine in her system, well above the legal limit.

Her solicitor Jess Hill said McKinwen had been directly affected by the tragedy and her mental health deteriorates around the anniversary.

“She now understands the consequences and never wants to use drugs again,” she added.

McKinwen, of The Square, Hubberston Road, Milford Haven, was banned from driving for 12 months. She was fined £138 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £55 surcharge.