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Petition launched over Reform councillor’s co-option

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Anti-racism campaigners challenge appointment as Cllr Scott Thorley hits back

A PETITION has been launched calling for a review of co-option procedures at Haverfordwest Town Council after a Reform UK candidate was appointed to a vacant seat.

Scott Thorley, who stood for Reform UK in February’s Prendergast by-election, was co-opted to the town council on Thursday (Apr 17). Just two days later, political graffiti appeared at Withybush Retail Park—where he works—prompting further controversy.

Scott Thorley: Now co-opted as a town councillor he had stood for election onto Pembrokeshire County Council

The petition, organised by campaign group West Wales Stand Up to Racism, claims Thorley’s appointment is incompatible with Wales’ national commitment to building an anti-racist society. It calls on Pembrokeshire County Council to reaffirm its support for the Welsh Government’s Anti-racist Wales Action Plan (AWAP), and for the town council to review its procedures to ensure future co-options reflect “ethical governance and inclusivity”.

Campaigners have highlighted Reform UK’s opposition to the AWAP, which they describe as a key equality strategy aimed at eradicating systemic racism in Wales by 2030. The party has publicly criticised aspects of the plan, including measures designed to increase ethnic minority representation in teaching and public life.

Graffiti messages reading “KEIR STARMER OUT, REFORM IN! GOD SAVE US” and “VOTE REFORM” were found sprayed in large letters across retail park walls on Saturday (Apr 19), two days after Thorley’s appointment.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, Thorley strongly condemned the vandalism: “Whoever has done this, it is vandalism plain and simple. It doesn’t help us—it’s embarrassing.”

In response to the petition, Thorley issued a statement in full: “As I have been invited to help on the anti-racist action plan by Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner, I’m really confused by their comments. I’m very much looking forward to helping integrate communities together in Haverfordwest using food, drink, culture, music and talking.

“In my experience from dealing with them they are far from fighting racism. Just because they say they’re anti-racist doesn’t mean they are—just as much as Jim Jones said he was the messiah.

“They don’t stand for election or try and join the town councils—they are cowards and try to bully people into changing their opinions.

“Politics is about talking and helping people. They need to grow up, take their Che Guevara posters off their walls at home, and stop acting like stroppy teenagers.”

Reform UK has been openly critical of the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan, arguing that it promotes what they describe as divisive “identity politics.” The party objects to measures such as offering higher education grants to ethnic minority trainee teachers, which they claim amounts to racial preference and undermines equality based on merit.

Reform figures have also criticised proposals to alter public spaces to accommodate cultural sensitivities, saying such policies are impractical and distract from core public concerns. Supporters of the plan argue it is a necessary step to address systemic racism and promote fairer opportunities across all sectors of Welsh society.

The petition, remains open and has been circulated online by local campaigners, comes just days after Reform UK achieved a significant breakthrough in West Wales. On May 29, Michelle Beer won a by-election in the Lliedi ward of Llanelli, becoming the first Reform UK councillor elected to Carmarthenshire County Council. Her victory marked a notable gain for the party in a traditionally Labour stronghold, reflecting its growing presence in Welsh local politics.

Reform UK has not issued a separate comment.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Under fire: Scott Thorley, pictured earlier this year with local police, says critics are more interested in “bullying” than dialogue (Pic: Reform/Facebook)

 

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Sheep rescue called off at Stack Rocks as coastguard urges public to stay back

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Public warned not to look over cliff edge as animals remain stranded near firing range

A RESCUE attempt to reach two sheep stranded below the cliffs at Stack Rocks has been called off, with the coastguard urging members of the public to stay well back from the cliff edge.

The sheep were seen on the rocky ground below the cliffs this afternoon, prompting concern from people in the area.

The Herald understands that a rescue attempt was made, but it was later stood down. The animals remain at the location.

A witness at the scene told The Herald that the coastguard was keen for the public to be warned not to approach the cliff edge or try to look down at the sheep.

The situation is further complicated by activity at the nearby firing range, where several days of live firing are understood to be scheduled, meaning a further rescue attempt is not currently possible.

Members of the public are being urged not to put themselves at risk by going near the edge of the cliffs.

Photo: The stranded sheep at Stack Rocks (Pic: Cerianne Palmer).

 

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Sub aqua club marks first serious sea-diving weekend of season

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CARDIGAN Sub Aqua Club has completed its first major weekend of sea diving of the season, with 23 divers taking part across four days.

The club rounded off the weekend on Monday (May 4), meeting at Porthgain at 8:30am with two club boats for a dive before returning by 2:00pm.

Ten divers took part in Monday’s outing, with the group diving on the Leysion, where visibility was reported at around three to four metres.

The club said the weekend had been an important opportunity for members to refresh skills, refamiliarise themselves with equipment and procedures, and give newer divers valuable sea experience.

There was also a milestone for club member Katie, who completed her first sea dive.

A club spokesperson said: “This has been the first serious club weekend out in the sea. Lots of refreshing of skills. Lots of refamiliarisation of kit and procedures. Some newbie experiences and some extending of experiences.”

The weekend also helped the club identify maintenance work needed on boats and trailers, with notes taken so the committee can prioritise resources.

The spokesperson added: “It’s been a good weekend for club diving — four days, two different locations and 23 different divers.”

The club said it will now focus over the next month on helping members who have not yet been back into the sea this season to get diving again and continue progressing with training.

Monday’s dive was followed by a debrief at The Sloop Inn, Porthgain.

 

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Fresh Hamilton wage claims raise new questions for Haverfordwest County fans

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Scottish reports of late and short wages add a new and more immediate concern for Bluebirds supporters already watching problems elsewhere in the same football network

REPORTS in Scotland that Hamilton Academical players were paid late, with some allegedly underpaid ahead of the club’s final game of the season, have added to scrutiny around the football network linked to Haverfordwest County AFC chairman Rob Edwards.

The latest claims were reported by Lanarkshire Live Sport and the Daily Record.

The relevance for Pembrokeshire lies in the links between Hamilton and Haverfordwest through Rob Edwards and Morley Sports Management.

Hamilton has previously stated that Morley Sports Management owns 100 per cent of 1874 Holdings Limited, and that 1874 Holdings in turn owns 97.5 per cent of Hamilton Academical FC.

Haverfordwest County has previously said Morley Sports Management has been the business vehicle behind Edwards’ takeover and funding of the Bluebirds since 2020.

Earlier this month, Haverfordwest County A.F.C. Ltd faced an HM Revenue & Customs winding-up petition at the High Court in London. The case was dismissed on April 15, but only after reaching a live hearing at the Rolls Building, with costs ordered against the company.

Separately, 1874 Holdings has faced a winding-up petition in Scotland. Hamilton later issued a statement acknowledging that petition, while saying the claim is disputed and that the company is seeking dismissal.

The latest Scottish wage claims come against a background of previous disciplinary action involving Hamilton. Earlier this year, the club was punished over failures to pay players on time and in full, resulting in a points deduction following an independent disciplinary process. Hamilton acknowledged that outcome in a club statement.

Companies House has also shown 1874 Holdings with overdue accounts and a strike-off notice. Those are separate processes from a winding-up petition, but they add to the list of recent off-field issues involving companies in the same football network.

There are also operational links between the two clubs. Haverfordwest publicly credited chief executive Beccy Nuttall with key work during the club’s licensing process earlier this month, while Hamilton has also announced Rebecca Nuttall in a senior role there.

The timing of the Haverfordwest case also drew attention because the club announced on April 8 that it had secured both its UEFA licence and FAW Tier 1 licence for the 2026-27 season, even though the HMRC petition remained live at that stage and was not disposed of until April 15.

The Herald contacted the Football Association of Wales for comment on the licensing position last week, but had received no response at the time of publication.

The Hamilton wage claims remain reports from Scotland, and there is no suggestion that Haverfordwest County AFC is facing the same issue. However, the developments are likely to be of interest to Bluebirds supporters because they concern companies and senior figures linked to the same wider football operation.

 

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