Ombudsman will not investigate new Plaid councillor, says Shaw

A NEWLY elected Pembrokeshire county councillor says the Ombudsman will not investigate a complaint made against him after he was photographed with campaigners outside County Hall.

Cllr William Cuthbert Linton Shaw, better known as Billy Shaw, won the Fishguard North-East seat for Plaid Cymru in a February by-election.

The contest was called following the death of Cllr Jordan Ryan last November.

His victory increased Plaid Cymru’s representation on Pembrokeshire County Council to three members.

Complaint after first meeting

Cllr Shaw said the complaint was made after he attended his first full council meeting on March 5.

Outside the meeting, members of the group Solidarity with Palestine had gathered in connection with a petition listed on the council agenda under the title: “Disinvestment in Companies profiting from Genocide.”

Cllr Shaw said he was later reported to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales over a photograph taken with the campaigners.

He described the complaint as “a waste of taxpayers’ money” and “a sad attempt at stifling the right to my freedom of expression”.

Cllr Shaw said: “On March 5 I attended my first county council meeting as the newly elected councillor for Fishguard North-East.

“Outside was a group, Solidarity with Palestine, who had a petition to be heard on Agenda Item No 5, ‘Disinvestment in Companies profiting from Genocide’.

“A member of the public complained that these people were supporting Palestine Action and that I had breached the code of conduct relating to being a councillor by being pictured with them. This report was sent to the Ombudsman on March 10.”

‘No evidence’

Cllr Shaw said he was informed that the matter would not be taken forward.

He said: “On Thursday I found out that this was not being investigated by the Ombudsman, as under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights I am allowed the freedom of expression in who I want to support.

“There was no evidence that they supported Palestine Action, or indeed that I did by being pictured alongside them.”

Cllr Shaw said there were two lessons to take from the matter.

He added: “It was a waste of the Ombudsman’s time, as it was a petty and vindictive attempt by this individual who has a long history of trolling anyone, especially those in public office with a left-wing viewpoint.

“The ECHR protected my rights to freedom of expression. Remove the ECHR and you remove that freedom.”

A 50-YEAR-OLD man of no fixed abode has been remanded in custody after admitting failing to surrender to court bail.

Michael Sudbury, whose address was listed as no fixed abode, Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 23) following the execution of a bench warrant.

Sudbury admitted failing without reasonable cause to surrender to custody at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 20), having previously been released on bail at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 30.

The court also dealt with a common assault matter. Sudbury had denied assaulting the female in Haverfordwest on October 22, 2025, but was found guilty on Monday (Apr 20).

Magistrates Mr S Weatherall, Mr C Rees and Mr J Ross committed Sudbury to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody on the basis that inquiries are needed and to determine the most suitable way of dealing with the case. The court recorded bail exceptions including a likelihood of further offending and a risk of causing injury or fear of injury to an associated person.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and a victim personal statement is expected to be presented to the court.

Sudbury will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, May 7, at 9:00am.

Lifeguard supervisor attended special reception marking Queen Elizabeth II centenary

A PEMBROKESHIRE RNLI lifeguard has represented Wales at Buckingham Palace during a special event marking the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth.

Matty McLeod, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor for North Pembrokeshire, attended the reception on Tuesday (Apr 21) alongside three other RNLI representatives, with one chosen from each UK nation.

The event commemorated the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, who was the RNLI’s longest-serving patron. Her Late Majesty held the role for 70 years.

RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: “It was a great honour for the RNLI to be represented at Buckingham Palace as part of this national occasion.

“Queen Elizabeth II’s unwavering support to the RNLI meant a great deal to our volunteers and staff, and the reception provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on The Late Queen’s extraordinary dedication to saving lives at sea.”

Matty, who has been part of the RNLI for 12 years, was nominated in recognition of his dedication and service to the lifesaving charity.

This year also marks 25 years of RNLI lifeguarding across the UK and Channel Islands.

Growing up on the coast and becoming a keen surfer, Matty developed a strong interest in water safety and helping people around the coastline.

He said: “I feel very grateful to have attended such a prestigious occasion and represent Wales and West RNLI lifeguards in their 25th anniversary year.”

Queen Elizabeth II was a much-loved member of the RNLI family for seven decades. During that time, the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards saved 65,979 lives.

Her Late Majesty attended many RNLI occasions during her reign and recognised the efforts of thousands of RNLI volunteers through visits to lifeboat stations, national honours, and Jubilee medals issued to RNLI crew in 1977, 2002, 2012 and 2022.

Her connection with the charity included the opening of the RNLI College in Poole on July 24, 2004, accompanied by Prince Philip and the RNLI President, the Duke of Kent.

Queen Elizabeth II’s final official engagement on behalf of the RNLI took place on May 17, 2013, when she unveiled a plaque at St Ives Lifeboat Station in Cornwall and met the volunteer lifeboat crew and fundraisers.