News

Top Welsh Tory unfazed amid leadership controversy

Published

5 months ago

August 13, 2024

ANDREW RT DAVIES, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, has stated he does not believe his leadership is under threat despite growing criticism over his recent remarks and the conduct of a member of his party.

Mr Davies has come under fire for his comments concerning halal meat and the future of the Senedd, as well as his handling of inappropriate language used by Conservative MS, Laura Anne Jones. Jones was recently ousted from Mr Davies’s shadow cabinet following the revelation that she used a racist slur to describe Chinese people in a WhatsApp message. She is also currently under police investigation regarding her expenses.

Despite these controversies, Mr Davies appeared to dismiss the idea of suspending Ms Jones, telling BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that none of his colleagues had proposed such action. He noted that Ms Jones had issued “a full and wholesome apology” for her use of what he termed “wholly inappropriate language.”

“What do we do these days? Do we take people out and tar and feather them, or do we accept an apology, understand that people learn the lessons from their mistake, and move on?” Mr Davies queried.

The Welsh Conservative leader’s remarks come as concerns grow within his party over his social media conduct. Some members of the Conservative Senedd group have privately voiced their unease, with one member reportedly considering calling for an emergency meeting before the end of the summer recess in September.

One party insider described Mr Davies’s social media posts as increasingly “difficult to defend,” suggesting that if the situation continues to deteriorate, his position could become “untenable,” potentially leading to a leadership challenge.

In a separate incident, Mr Davies faced accusations of “Islamophobic race-baiting” from the Muslim Council of Wales. The allegations stemmed from a GB News article penned by Mr Davies, in which he argued that children “should not be forced to eat halal school lunches.” The article followed a complaint from a constituent in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, who claimed non-halal meat was unavailable at her daughter’s school. However, the school later refuted the claim, stating on social media, “The statement that all meat options are halal only is incorrect.”

Mr Davies has vehemently denied the race-baiting accusations, insisting that his concerns were purely about providing choice.

Further criticism has also come from within his own party. Lord Nick Bourne, a former leader of the Welsh Conservatives, criticised Mr Davies for a social media post in which he questioned whether the Senedd should be abolished. Mr Davies later clarified that neither he nor his party supports the abolition of the Welsh Parliament.

As the summer recess continues, the pressure on Mr Davies shows little sign of abating, with questions remaining over how long he can maintain his leadership amidst the ongoing controversies.

News

Grieving family’s aim to protect young drivers in memory of daughter

Published

3 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Road Safety Team have worked in partnership with the family of a young woman killed in a road traffic collision to launch an intervention for young drivers in our County and beyond.

Ella Bee’s Story aims to prevent further deaths on the road, particularly among the 17 to 25-year-old age group, and concentrates on the Fatal 5, peer pressure, driver behaviour and how to reduce the risks both as a driver and passenger.

Twenty-one year-old Ella Smith was killed in a road traffic collision on the Broad Haven road in 2021 and her family are bravely telling their story of the night it happened and the aftermath of losing Ella.

Two drivers involved in the collision were jailed for ten years each having been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The intervention was launched recently and will be available to all schools and young peoples’ groups in the County, along with Pembrokeshire College.

The Road Safety Team worked closely with the family to put together the intervention which includes the production of two videos that can help educate all young drivers, and any adults with young drivers in the family.

Following the launch Ella’s mother Maria said: “We as a family and Ella’s best friends have worked tirelessly with Pembrokeshire County Council to produce a presentation on road safety to be delivered to schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young drivers on the devastating impact that losing Ella has had on us all.

“Ella your legacy will live on and you will forever be remembered for helping others even now.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett added: “The launch of Ella Bee’s Story was incredible moving. Ella’s family has been incredibly brave in their determination to ensure her tragic death is not in vain and this project will help other young drivers stay safe on our roads.”

For further information about how your school or youth group can access Ella Bee’s Story please email [email protected]

News

Storage container fire in Newcastle Emlyn

Published

4 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AT11:48am on Friday (Jan 24), Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Llandysul and Carmarthen fire stations were called to a fire in Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn.

The fire involved a 40-foot by 8-foot storage container and was confined to a generator inside. Firefighters used a hose reel jet, two breathing apparatus sets, a thermal imaging camera, and a positive pressure ventilation fan to extinguish the blaze.

Crews remained on site to dampen down the area before departing at 12:57pm.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man accused of assault and perverting justice remanded in custody

Published

4 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of assaulting a woman has been remanded in custody after allegedly offering her money to drop the charges.

Lohan Chapman, 19, of Primrose Close, Neyland, is accused of intentionally strangling a female during an alleged incident in Milford Haven on August 1, 2024, and of assaulting her by beating. He denies both charges.

This week, Haverfordwest Magistrates Court heard that Chapman was remanded in custody on January 18 after being accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice by offering his alleged victim an undisclosed sum of money to withdraw the charges.

District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction in all three matters.