Politics

Plans for crackdown on lying politicians unveiled

Published

12 months ago

February 21, 2025

A SENEDD committee unveiled plans to address deliberate deception by politicians but stopped short of recommending the creation of a new criminal or civil offence.

The standards committee called for in-house rules for Senedd Members to be strengthened and for an existing offence for candidates to be expanded to include deception.

Other recommendations included appointing non-politicians to make the committee, which is made up of Senedd Members from the main three parties, more independent.

In the 72-page report, the committee also recommended giving the standards commissioner powers to initiate investigations against Senedd Members without first needing a complaint.

As part of an inquiry on accountability, the committee published a separate report last month calling for a “recall” system to allow voters to remove Senedd Members between elections.

Under the proposals, Senedd Members would be required to correct the record and severe breaches of the code of conduct could lead to a “remove or replace” public vote.

However, the committee’s report is not the final word on the matter and the Welsh Government will formally respond to the 11 recommendations.

In July, Mick Antoniw, then-counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, cut a last-minute deal to avoid defeat in a crunch vote on creating an offence of deception

Senedd counsel general Mick Antoniw — Labour MS Mick Antoniw

As a result, proposals tabled by Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price were withdrawn.

Mr Antoniw, now a member of the standards committee, committed to introducing legislation to disqualify politicians found guilty of deception through an independent judicial process.

Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister, reiterated this commitment in December.

During the inquiry, some witnesses warned that creating an offence would politicise the courts, lead to vexatious complaints and endanger free expression in the Senedd.

But others called for radical reform, with faith in democracy at an all-time low, calling for more independence to avoid the perception of politicians marking their own homework.

Hannah Blythyn, who chairs the standards committee, said strengthening rules for Senedd Members and candidates is critical at a time when public trust in politicians is low.

Hannah Blythyn, Welsh Government deputy minister for social partnership — Labour MS Hannah Blythyn

The Labour Senedd Member said: “Our report is putting forward recommendations to radically enhance our rules and make it clear to anyone who wants to hold public office that deliberately deceiving is not acceptable.

“By strengthening the law governing elections, toughening our code of conduct and giving more power and independence to those investigating complaints, we can start to rebuild public trust in our political institutions and support a parliament fit for the future.”

Sam Fowles, a barrister who is one of the architects of the initial proposals, welcomed the standards committee report but called for an independent tribunal to enforce the rules.

He said: “This report is, quite rightly, a rejection of the counsels of doom who say that demanding politicians are honest is just too difficult.”

But Dr Fowles, who has been involved in high-profile cases including the post office scandal and the prorogation of UK Parliament, stressed that the report is only the start of the process.

“The focus now switches back to the Welsh Government,” he said. “It has committed to a law which will genuinely penalise political liars before 2026.

“The standards committee has told them it can be done – the Welsh Government now needs to draft a law that isn’t just symbolic but genuinely effective.”

Jennifer Nadel, co-director of Compassion in Politics, a think tank which has been campaigning on the issue, warned that deliberate deception threatens democracy.

“This report puts Wales firmly at the forefront of the battle against political deception,” she said. “This proposal to make it a criminal offence for candidates to deceive the public, if adopted …, is a crucial first step in shoring up our democracy and restoring voters’ trust.”

But the journalist warned the report “falls short” of calling for Senedd Members to be subject to the same criminal sanction, instead relying on “beefing up” existing arrangements.

“We would like to see it go further in this respect,” she said. “Serving politicians should be under the same sanction for deliberate deception as candidates, not a lesser one.

“The Senedd is acting and we now call on Westminster to follow suit with a genuinely robust criminal offence to show it is serious about cleaning up politics.”

Plaid Cymru’s Peredur Owen Griffiths was in a minority of committee members in favour of a model that captures both Senedd Members and those standing for election.

South Wales East MS Peredur Owen Griffiths

Adam Price, Labour’s Lee Waters and Lib Dem Jane Dodds, observer members of the committee, argued the recommendations will be insufficient to meet the commitment.

Mr Price warned: “Self-regulation – with one group of politicians acting as judge and jury on the truth of another politician’s case – will not restore public trust, and is open to abuse.”

But he told the Senedd extending an offence for candidates to cover deception would make Wales the first democracy in the world to ban lying by politicians to win elections.

Ms Dodds said: “This report goes a long way in addressing major concerns that people have about the process of accountability in the Senedd…. Lack of action would prove to be a serious threat to democracy here in Wales.”

News

Kurtz calls on Labour MPs to back release of Mandelson papers

Published

4 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Staff Writer

Opposition motion follows Epstein-linked document disclosures

A SENEDD Member has called on Labour MPs to support a Conservative Opposition Day Motion demanding the release of papers linked to Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the UK Ambassador to the United States.

Samuel Kurtz said the motion follows the publication of new files and photographs involving Lord Mandelson, which were released as part of a United States investigation into the disgraced and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking out, Mr Kurtz said that during Prime Minister’s Questions, the Prime Minister admitted he was aware of Peter Mandelson’s ongoing relationship with Epstein at the time of his appointment.

“That means the Prime Minister knowingly appointed Peter Mandelson to one of the most important diplomatic roles in government despite his links to Epstein,” he said. “This raises serious questions about the Prime Minister’s judgement.”

Mr Kurtz went on to accuse the Prime Minister of attempting to prevent transparency over the appointment process.

“Now, instead of being open and transparent, the Prime Minister is attempting to block the release of documents relating to Mandelson’s appointment in order to protect his own position,” he said.

He warned that Labour MPs who oppose the motion would share responsibility for withholding information, adding: “If Labour MPs support blocking the release of these papers, they will be complicit in covering up the process and judgement that led the Prime Minister to appoint Peter Mandelson as Ambassador, despite his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.”

News

Welsh peace campaigner removed from court during Palestine protest case

Published

6 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Concerns raised over use of terrorism laws against silent sign-holders as Welsh activist among those ejected from London hearings

A WELSH peace campaigner was among several protesters removed from court by security staff this week as plea hearings continued for people charged under terrorism legislation for holding pro-Palestine signs.

Angie Zelter, aged 74, from Knucklas, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Monday as part of mass proceedings linked to the Government’s ban on Palestine Action.

Campaigners say hundreds of people across the UK – including some in Wales – have been charged under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after quietly holding handwritten signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

Zelter, a long-time anti-war activist and founder of Trident Ploughshares, attempted to read a prepared statement criticising the prosecutions before being escorted from the courtroom, according to supporters.

She told the court she did not accept being labelled a terrorist for what she described as peaceful protest and opposition to the war in Gaza.

Outside the building, fellow campaigners said she had sought to argue that international law and freedom of expression should protect non-violent dissent.

Also removed from the hearing was Tim Crosland, co-founder of Defend Our Juries, who said he had tried to raise legal objections to the charges before being asked to leave.

Arrests nationwide

Organisers of the “Lift The Ban” campaign claim nearly 3,000 people have been arrested across Britain since late 2025 for taking part in silent vigils, with several hundred now facing prosecution. The offences carry a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

The group argues the legislation is being used to criminalise peaceful protest. It is calling on the Government to lift the ban on Palestine Action and to change its stance on military cooperation with Israel.

However, ministers have defended the proscription, saying the organisation has been linked to criminal damage and disruption at sites connected to defence manufacturing.

Welsh perspective

While most hearings are taking place in London, campaigners say demonstrators in Wales have also taken part in sign-holding protests.

Civil liberties advocates have warned that applying terrorism laws to non-violent protest risks setting a troubling precedent.

For many in mid Wales, the sight of a pensioner from rural Powys being removed from a courtroom has sharpened debate over where the line lies between legitimate protest and criminality.

Further hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks, with more defendants from across the UK expected to appear.

Business

Bid to convert office space into chocolate factory, salon and laundrette

Published

13 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for the retrospective conversion of office space previously connected to a Pembrokeshire car hire business to a chocolate factory, a beauty salon and a laundrette has been submitted to county planners

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr M Williams, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought retrospective permission for the subdivision of an office on land off Scotchwell Cottage, Cartlett, Haverfordwest into three units forming a chocolate manufacturing, a beauty salon, and a launderette, along with associated works.

A supporting statement said planning history at the site saw a 2018 application for the refurbishment of an existing office building and a change of use from oil depot offices to a hire car office and car/van storage yard, approved back in 2019.

For the chocolate manufacturing by ‘Pembrokeshire Chocolate company,’ as part of the latest scheme it said: “The operation comprises of manufacturing of handmade bespoke flavoured chocolate bars. Historically there was an element of counter sales but this has now ceased. The business sales comprise of online orders and the delivery of produce to local stockist. There are no counter sales from the premises.”

It said the beauty salon “offers treatments, nail services and hairdressing,” operating “on an appointment only basis, with the hairdresser element also offering a mobile service”. It said the third unit of the building functions as a commercial laundrette and ironing services known as ‘West Coast Laundry,’ which “predominantly provides services to holiday cottages, hotels and care homes”.

The statement added: “Beyond the unchanged access the site has parking provision for at least 12 vehicles and a turning area. The building now forms three units which employ two persons per unit. The 12 parking spaces, therefore, provide sufficient provision for staff.

“In terms of visiting members of the public the beauty salon operates on an appointment only basis and based on its small scale can only accommodate two customers at any one time. Therefore, ample parking provision exists to visitors.

“With regard to the chocolate manufacturing and commercial laundrette service these enterprises do not attract visitors but do attract the dropping off laundry and delivery of associated inputs. Drop off and collections associated with the laundry services tend to fall in line with holiday accommodation changeover days, for example Tuesday drop off and collections on the Thursday.

“With regard to the chocolate manufacturing ingredients are delivered by couriers and movements associated with this is also estimated at 10 vehicular movements per week.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.