News

Police report filed over Neyland Town Council email controversy

Published

1 year ago

February 11, 2025

Tom Sinclair

EX-MAYOR’S REPORT TO COPS OVER NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL BULLYING

A FORMER Neyland Mayor has reported Neyland Town Councillor David Devauden to the police following explosive allegations of bullying and harassment against the town’s Clerk, Libby Matthews.

The controversy stems from an article published by The Pembrokeshire Herald on February 7, which revealed the contents of an email sent by Cllr Devauden to the Clerk. The email, described as containing intimidating language, personal attacks, and a demand for resignation, has been widely condemned.

Former Neyland Mayor Andrew Lye, who resigned in 2023 amid what he described as a “toxic” council environment, has now taken action. He visited Haverfordwest Police Station with a copy of The Herald article and formally reported the matter, obtaining a Storm reference number as evidence.

A COUNCIL IN CRISIS

The scandal is the latest in a series of controversies to engulf Neyland Town Council, which has been dogged by allegations of misconduct, internal disputes, and division over the past two years. In June 2023, Lye stepped down following allegations of racism, antisemitism, and anti-Islamic sentiment from Cllr Brian Rothero, based on an old blog post regarding male circumcision. This matter, along with another complaint made by Cllr Steve Thomas alleging conspiracy and fraud, is currently being investigated by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

Lye’s removal from the mayoralty was particularly controversial due to the nature of the allegations. In a 2008 blog post, Lye questioned the necessity of religious circumcision, stating that if God “made man in his own image,” the practice seemed contradictory. This remark was later used by Cllr Rothero to claim Lye had engaged in antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric, leading to his ousting.

The controversy drew national attention, with the National Secular Society (NSS) and the men’s health charity 15 Square publicly condemning the council’s decision to remove Lye. The NSS and 15 Square argued that the allegations against Lye were “baseless” and warned that punishing him for raising concerns about circumcision would create a chilling effect on free expression.

The charities pointed out that circumcision has been listed as a “harmful” practice by the United Nations and highlighted documented cases where children in the UK have suffered serious complications, including life-threatening haemorrhages and deformities. The NSS also referenced a 2018 YouGov poll in which 62% of the British public supported banning non-medical circumcision of boys.

PUBLIC OUTRAGE GROWS

***Under investigation: Cllr Devauden***

Lye, angered by the contents of Devauden’s email, stated: “I was totally incensed by the words I read in the Herald article.” He referenced key parts of the email, which allegedly included the phrases “You’re a dead (wo)man walking”, “You’re not fit for purpose”, and comments about Matthews’ mental health and outside influences.

Commenting on the broader situation, Lye added: “The people of Neyland and the Town Council deserve better. The Town Clerk certainly does not deserve to be treated like this. Cllr Devauden should resign as a matter of urgency if just one word in that article is correct. He has brought the Town Council into disrepute.”

On social media, many Neyland residents have expressed outrage over the email’s contents, with some suggesting that all councillors should resign to allow for fresh elections. Lye noted that at the 2022 elections, only four councillors (himself included) were elected unopposed, while the remainder were appointed through co-option.

SILENCE FROM KEY COUNCILLORS

Lye also highlighted the notable silence from councillors Peter Hay, Mike Harry, Ash Phelan, and Ellen Phelan amid the ongoing crisis. However, he was quick to defend them against accusations of complicity, stating: “They have always fought for what is good for the town and the council. Because they were part of the complaints made to the Ombudsman, they have been effectively silenced from speaking out.”

The former mayor suggested that these councillors had been “treated appallingly” by others on the council, further deepening the divisions within Neyland’s leadership.

CALLS FOR REFORM AND ACCOUNTABILITY

As investigations continue, many are questioning whether Neyland Town Council is capable of governing effectively in its current state. Lye emphasized that he hopes the Ombudsman’s report will “finally bring accountability” to a council he believes has been failing for years.

“If the content of Devauden’s email is any indication of the wider culture within the council, then the people of Neyland, Pembrokeshire, and even Wales will be shocked when the Ombudsman’s findings are finally released.”

Lye lamented that, unlike health boards or county councils, there is no mechanism to place dysfunctional town or community councils under special measures. He stated that Neyland’s situation would likely justify such an intervention if it were possible.

POLICE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

While the matter is now in the hands of the police, it remains to be seen whether any legal action will follow. Under the Malicious Communications Act 2003, it is a criminal offence to send electronic communications that are “grossly offensive, indecent, threatening, or designed to cause distress.”

Lye has urged authorities to seize Cllr Devauden’s electronic devices to examine all communications between councillors over the past two years, arguing that the public would be shocked by what has been said behind closed doors.

“I am against evil and bullying, so I had to go to the police to report this possible crime. Neyland deserves better, and I want it to get back to doing what it should be doing – where everyone works together for the good of the town.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

With the Ombudsman’s report expected in the near future, and the police investigation now officially logged, Neyland Town Council faces intense scrutiny. Calls for Cllr Devauden to resign are growing louder, while broader questions remain over whether Neyland’s governance structure can withstand the deep divisions that have plagued it for years.

For now, Neyland residents are left waiting to see what action—if any—will be taken to restore faith in their council.

News

Parties make final push as Wales prepares to vote in historic Senedd election

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Campaign leaders criss-cross country in last-minute battle for crucial votes

WALES heads to the polls tomorrow (Thursday, May 7) after a frenetic final day of campaigning that saw party leaders, candidates and activists make one last push to win over undecided voters in what is being described as the most unpredictable Senedd election in modern Welsh history.

With polling stations due to open at 7:00am, parties spent Wednesday targeting key battleground constituencies across the country, including the new Ceredigion Penfro seat, amid growing expectations of a fragmented Senedd and a dramatic shake-up in Welsh politics.

The election is the first to be held under Wales’ new expanded Senedd system, with 96 Members of the Senedd being elected across 16 large constituencies using a proportional closed-list voting system.

Reform UK appeared to finish the campaign with significant momentum following a major rally on Tuesday attended by party leader Nigel Farage. The event drew large crowds and considerable online attention as Reform attempted to convert strong polling figures into seats in Cardiff Bay for the first time.

Farage used the rally to attack both Labour and Plaid Cymru, while positioning Reform as the party of “change” for disillusioned voters. Reform campaigners have focused heavily on immigration, cost of living pressures and opposition to what they describe as “wasteful government spending.”

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth spent the final day presenting his party as the main alternative to both Labour and Reform UK, insisting Plaid could “build a fairer Wales” while warning against what he described as “divisive politics.”

Labour figures, including First Minister Eluned Morgan and deputy leader Huw Irranca-Davies, urged voters not to “take risks” with public services, arguing only Welsh Labour could protect the NHS and local councils during a period of economic uncertainty.

Labour activists were heavily focused on turnout operations in traditional strongholds, amid polling suggesting the party could lose ground after decades as the dominant force in Welsh politics.

The Conservatives attempted to rally core voters with warnings about both Labour and Reform, while also focusing on farming, the rural economy and healthcare waiting lists.

In west Wales, Conservative candidates Paul Davies and Sam Kurtz spent the day meeting voters and carrying out final campaign visits across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, arguing their experience and local knowledge would be important under the new electoral system.

The Liberal Democrats and Green Party also maintained visible campaigns in several areas, hoping tactical voting and the proportional voting system could help them secure representation.

Across Wales, campaign teams handed out leaflets outside transport hubs, supermarkets and town centres, while social media campaigning intensified throughout the day.

Political analysts believe turnout could prove decisive, particularly because the new voting system means relatively small shifts in support could determine the allocation of the fifth and sixth seats in many constituencies.

The campaign has been dominated by debates over the NHS, farming, the economy, transport, tourism and the rising cost of living, alongside concerns about the future direction of Welsh devolution.

Polling stations open across Wales from 7:00am until 10:00pm on Thursday, with counting due to begin on Friday morning.

The Herald will provide live election coverage online throughout polling day and count day, including updates from count centres, candidate interviews and reaction as results emerge from across west Wales and the rest of the country.

News

Plaid Cymru projected to lead Senedd as Labour faces historic collapse

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Final poll suggests Welsh politics could be on the brink of a major realignment

PLAID CYMRU is on course to become the largest party in the Senedd, according to the final YouGov MRP projection for ITV Cymru Wales before polling day.

The model suggests Labour’s century-long dominance of Welsh elections could be coming to an end, with Plaid projected to win 43 seats in the newly expanded 96-member Senedd.

Reform UK is forecast to finish second on 34 seats, while Labour is projected to fall to just 12.

The poll, based on responses from more than 4,600 adults between April 25 and May 4, puts Plaid Cymru on 33% of the vote, ahead of Reform UK on 29%. Labour is on 12%, the Conservatives on 9%, the Greens on 8% and the Liberal Democrats on 6%.

Labour facing major losses

The projection points to a dramatic collapse in Labour support across Wales.

YouGov’s central estimate would represent a notional loss of 32 seats for Labour compared with the 2021 result under the new electoral system.

It would also be Labour’s worst result at any major Welsh election since 1906.

The model suggests Labour may fail to top the poll in any of the 16 new Senedd constituencies, and could return no members at all in four of them.

In west Wales, Labour’s support is projected to have fallen into single figures in some areas.

First Minister Eluned Morgan, who leads Labour’s list in Ceredigion Penfro, could also be at risk if the projection proves accurate.

Reform surge

Reform UK is projected to make major gains, rising from just 1% of the vote in 2021 to 29% in the final pre-election model.

The party’s support appears to be spread widely across Wales, though it is weaker in Cardiff and strongest in parts of the south Wales valleys.

One of the most striking projections is in Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr, which includes the Merthyr Tydfil area where Keir Hardie was elected as Wales’s first Labour MP in 1900.

There, YouGov’s central estimate puts Reform UK narrowly ahead on 34%, Plaid Cymru on 33%, and Labour on 14%.

Smaller parties

The Conservatives are projected to win just four seats, which would be their weakest devolved election result.

That would leave them one short of the five members needed to form an official political group in the Senedd.

The Greens are forecast to enter the Senedd for the first time, winning two seats in Cardiff.

The Liberal Democrats are projected to win one seat in Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, keeping Jane Dodds in the Senedd.

No majority expected

No party is projected to win the 49 seats needed for an outright majority.

YouGov’s modelling suggests Plaid Cymru would be best placed to lead the next Welsh Government, but would probably need support from another party.

Plaid and Labour together reach a majority in most of the model’s simulations, while a Plaid-Green arrangement does so far less often.

A Reform-Conservative majority appears unlikely in the projection.

Under the new D’Hondt voting system, small movements in vote share could still make a significant difference, particularly for the final seats in each constituency.

Polling stations open tomorrow, Thursday, May 7.