Cross-party Senedd members and councillors say Welsh public money must not be invested in firms linked to alleged war crimes and apartheid

POLITICIANS from across Wales have called for local government pension funds to stop investing in companies they say are complicit in Israel’s actions against Palestinians.

In a cross-party letter coordinated by Palestine Solidarity Campaign Cymru, Senedd members and councillors from Plaid Cymru, the Greens, Labour and the Liberal Democrats urged the Wales Pensions Partnership to end investments they describe as supporting “genocide and apartheid”.

The Wales Pensions Partnership manages Welsh local government pension funds worth an estimated £26 billion.

In their letter, the politicians said ensuring public investments “are not contributing to grave violations of international law must be an urgent priority”.

The intervention comes as the Wales Pensions Partnership develops an Exclusion Framework, which campaigners say is intended to prevent investments that conflict with climate, human rights and international law commitments.

However, those behind the letter argue that the framework risks falling short of what they describe as a clear democratic mandate from councils across Wales.

According to PSC Cymru, many councils have already passed motions calling for divestment from companies alleged to be complicit in war crimes, apartheid and other breaches of international law. The group says 11 councils in Wales — half of all councils in the country — have now backed such motions.

Research cited by the campaign claims that Local Government Pension Scheme funds in Wales have more than £1.1 billion invested in companies said to be linked to Israel’s actions against Palestinians.

As one example, the campaign says Rhondda Cynon Taf Pension Fund has invested more than £12 million in BAE Systems, which it describes as an arms manufacturer making parts for fighter jets used by Israel in Gaza.

The letter calls on the Wales Pensions Partnership to ensure its Exclusion Framework explicitly excludes all companies said to be enabling grave violations of international law by Israel, and to produce a clear, time-bound plan for divestment.

Bethan Sayed, co-chair of PSC Cymru, said: “Today’s letter sends an unmistakable message: Welsh politicians from across the political spectrum will not allow public money to fund genocide and apartheid.

“The Wales Pension Partnership manages £26 billion on behalf of Welsh workers and communities — not a single penny of it should be profiting from the massacre of Palestinian men, women and children.

“Six out of seven people in Wales support divestment. Eleven councils have passed motions. The democratic mandate could not be clearer. The WPP must act — and it must act now.”

PSC Cymru said the letter reflected growing pressure across Wales for public bodies to review investments linked to the conflict.

Milford Haven man faces three Fraud Act charges linked to apps, electronic data and adapted Amazon Fire TV sticks

A MILFORD HAVEN man is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Apr 21) charged with three offences under the Fraud Act 2006.

Michael David Barrow, 48, of Priory Road, Milford Haven, is listed to appear before magistrates in connection with allegations relating to software and devices said to have enabled unlawful access to pay television content.

According to the court list, it is alleged that between October 19, 2019 and February 22, 2024, at Haverfordwest and elsewhere in Pembrokeshire, Barrow made applications, known as apps, and/or other electronic data which enabled access to pay television content without appropriate payment being made to those entitled to it.

He is further accused of supplying applications, apps and/or other electronic data intended to be used to commit, or assist in the commission of, fraud.

A third charge alleges that he supplied Amazon Fire TV Sticks which, when adapted, enabled access to pay television content without appropriate payment being made to the rights holders, intending them to be used to commit, or assist in the commission of, fraud.

All three charges are brought under Section 7 of the Fraud Act 2006.

Family say 19-year-old Lee Barber will be remembered for his kindness, strength and positive attitude

THE FAMILY of a 19-year-old man who died in a road traffic collision in Ceredigion last month have paid tribute to him.

Lee Barber, from Aberaeron, died after the vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a collision on the A482 between Lampeter and Ciliau Aeron on Tuesday, March 24.

In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said: “There are no words that can describe the pain we are feeling as a family. The loss of our son, Lee, has devastated us and has deeply affected the whole community.

“Lee was a loving son who lived life to the fullest. He will be remembered for his kindness, his strength, and his positive attitude. He had a way of bringing people together and made a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the local community and further afield for the overwhelming support we have received. The messages, stories, memories, and photos that have been shared with us mean more than words can say.

“Our boy Lee will live on forever in our hearts and minds. We now kindly ask for privacy as we take time to grieve.”

Police confirmed the collision happened on the A482 between Lampeter and Ciliau Aeron and that Lee died at the scene.

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