News

‘Staggeringly low’ number of complaints upheld against Senedd members

Published

8 months ago

July 15, 2025

TRADE UNIONS have called for an independent system to address bullying and harassment of staff by Senedd members, warning a “staggeringly low” number of complaints are upheld.

Osian Evans, vice-chair of the Plaid Cymru Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union branch, expressed concerns about a lack of confidence, anonymity and independence.

He urged the Senedd’s standards committee to follow Westminster’s lead by introducing an independent-adjudicated process specifically looking at workplace bullying and harassment.

PCS warned complainants have not had their anonymity respected, leading to them being targeted and creating a significant barrier to making complaints.

In written evidence, PCS pointed to one example of a former member of Senedd support staff being targeted with abuse to the point that the police had to be contacted.

‘Bad behaviour’

The trade union said: “The need for a name to be stated and for that name to be disclosed to the member who is the subject of the complaint was a strong theme here. Frankly, this is not a conducive environment to encourage people to call out bad behaviour.”

The union also warned people lack confidence in the process to yield a just outcome and criticised an “unrealistic” six-month window for complaints to be made.

Mr Evans told the committee: “The amount of upheld complaints is actually staggeringly low.”

He warned the current system, which covers everything from using the wrong envelopes to sexually harassing a member of staff, is too complex for complainants.

Laura Murton similarly called for an overhaul, with 36 more Senedd members from May 2026 and, arguably, less individual accountability due to the way they will be elected.

‘Conflict of interest’

Giving evidence on July 15, the Unite union representative said: “Staff still aren’t clear about the process of how they would make a complaint and don’t feel comfortable doing so.”

She warned of a conflict of interest in the informal grievance process through the Senedd’s internal “members’ business support” team. “It’s not ‘members of support staff business support’,” she pointed out. “So, you’ve already got that in-baked… maybe prejudice.”

Ms Murton added that political parties’ complaints processes are potentially even less transparent than the current Senedd process.

Complaints can be escalated to the Senedd’s standards commissioner, Douglas Bain, who investigates complaints for the standards committee which is made up of politicians.

Ms Murton said: “Once you get to that point, if you are a member of support staff and you’re making a complaint against a Senedd member… it’s kind of like endgame essentially, you’re going to end up losing your job – one way or another.”

‘Nuclear button’

Ed Stubbs, also a Unite rep, added: “Laura talked about pressing the nuclear button, it’s a really difficult thing to do because you are taking personal risk, so – most importantly – wherever we can, [we need to] take the politics out of it.”

In written evidence, Unite described the current process as not fit for purpose due to a lack of transparency and trust. Both unions warned complaints can “drag on” for years.

Ms Murton said: “The reasons or excuses… for not having an independent process … is we’re too small, there’s not the expertise, there’s not enough complaints. I just don’t think any of those are valid reasons to deny victims of bullying and sexual harassment justice.”

Unite raised concerns about the current system “exacerbating” a power imbalance in the workplace – “one which is magnified in such a political environment”.

“Significant concern has also been flagged regarding the role Senedd members have in the complaints/standards process,” the union warned. “This does not give people in more vulnerable positions confidence in coming forward.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

18 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.