News

Racist recording of Cllr Andrew Edwards could have been a ‘deep fake’

Published

3 years ago

April 14, 2023

THE COUNCILLOR accused of making racist comments in a private conversation – which was recorded and posted online may be the victim of a ‘deep fake’, The Herald can reveal.

Cllr Andrew Edwards says he does not recall ever saying those words – and analysis of the recording has shown inconsistencies which are in line with an audio file which has been digitally manipulated.

Deep fake voices are synthesized or manipulated using machine learning algorithms, making them sound convincingly like real human voices.

To detect a deep fake voice in an audio file, there are a few things you can do:

Listen for inconsistencies: Deep fake voices may have slight variations in pitch, tone, or cadence that sound unusual or inconsistent with a real human voice. Pay close attention to these variations to determine if they sound unnatural.
Look for lip-syncing issues: In some cases, deep fake voices may be paired with video footage that doesn’t match up with the audio, causing lip-syncing issues. If you’re unsure if a voice is genuine, try watching the video and paying attention to the speaker’s lips.
Compare with known samples: If you have access to a known sample of the person’s voice, compare it to the audio file you’re analysing. This can help you identify any inconsistencies or variations that may be indicative of a deep fake voice.
Use specialized software: There are several software programs available that can help you detect deep fake voices in audio files. These programs analyse the audio for inconsistencies and use machine learning algorithms to determine the likelihood of the voice being real or synthetic.
It’s important to note that detecting deep fake voices can be challenging, and it may require a combination of techniques to determine if an audio file is genuine or not – but why not have a listen to the recording and see if you can notice any of the inconsistencies described in points 1 to 4 above.

A former councillor, Cllr Paul Dowson, says he was the victim of fake social media content in 2020.

At the time he denied he shared images on social media that were racist, hateful to women and people of different religions.
Paul Dowson said the images, alleged by the union Unison to have come from his Facebook account, were “manufactured” by political opponents.

Speaking at the time he told reporters: “Give me 24 hours and I could come up with the same screenshots in your name.”

Mr Dowson “categorically” denied sharing the allegedly offensive posts.

He also denied he was racist.

Dowson was elected with a majority of four votes to represent the Pembroke Dock Central ward in 2017.

Mr Dowson said it was clear to him the posts had been “created by someone as part of their vendetta against me”.

Dowson said that it was more than credible that the audio file which is causing heat for Cllr Andrew Edwards has been manufactured by political opponents.

Dowson said: “Having heard the recording several times I would like to suggest that there is clearly gated compression in the clip which is a clear sign of manipulation.”

“The intonation of his speech and pitch of his words are not naturally flowing, and it sounds like the voice has been altered.”

“There are lots of apps and programs out there that can do this. Some of the software I am familiar with as a musician are more than capable of doing this.”

“If he is innocent I do feel for him as it seems therefore that there are people out there who are wanting to wreck his future – as they did mine.”

Crime

Police stop car in Pennar as three arrested in drugs investigation

Published

7 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Suspected drug driver report leads to major police response and multiple arrests

DRAMATIC scenes were reported in Pennar on Monday afternoon (Mar 23) after multiple police vehicles were deployed to stop a car.

The incident happened at around 5:00pm near Pennar Court, Pembroke Dock, where officers located a stationary vehicle following reports of a suspected drug driver in the area.

Police attended and pre-emptively stopped the vehicle, also blocking a second car nearby.

Officers carried out searches of both vehicles and discovered suspected controlled substances.

A 32-year-old woman and a 47-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A and class B drugs with intent to supply. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and possession of class A and class B drugs with intent to supply.

The 32-year-old woman has been released under investigation, while the 31-year-old man and 47-year-old woman have been released on unconditional bail.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the incident followed reports of a man believed to be driving under the influence in the area earlier that afternoon.

Crime

Sex offender jailed for sending explicit messages to ’14-year-old’ girls

Published

7 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MAN has been jailed after sending sexual messages on Snapchat to three girls he believed were aged 14.

Ciaran Carmody, aged 21, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court via video link from HM Wrexham prison, where he admitted three offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under 16.

The court heard the messages were sent on three separate occasions to accounts posing as 14-year-old girls, which were in fact part of an undercover police operation.

Prosecutor Nia James said each of the girls made their age clear, but the messages sent by Carmody were sexual in nature.

The offences took place between April 25 and May 5, 2025.

Finance

Haverfordwest savers encouraged to seek clarity ahead of ISA tax year end

Published

7 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TWO in three savers say a fixed interest rate would give them greater peace of mind when planning their finances, according to new research from Principality Building Society*, as people in Haverfordwest are encouraged to review their savings ahead of the ISA tax year deadline.

The research, conducted with more than 1,500 people, also found that while many savers feel comfortable managing their money independently, a significant number still value the reassurance of speaking to someone when making important financial decisions.

Meanwhile, around one in six people mistakenly believe they must open a new ISA every tax year, highlighting ongoing confusion around how ISAs work. In many cases, particularly for variable savings products, savers may be able to continue paying into an existing ISA.

With the tax year end approaching, Principality Building Society is inviting Members and local savers to speak with colleagues at its High Street branch in Haverfordwest to better understand their options and make informed choices about how to use their ISA allowance.

The research also highlights the appeal of certainty when it comes to savings. Two in three savers say a fixed rate would give them peace of mind, reflecting the reassurance that comes from knowing exactly what return they will receive over a set period. Fixed rate Cash ISAs can provide that certainty, making it easier for some savers to plan ahead.

Vicky Wales, Chief Savings and Lending Officer at Principality Building Society, said: “ISA season can often feel busy and confusing, particularly against the backdrop of changes in the wider financial environment. Many people value the opportunity to talk through their options and feel confident they’re making the right decision.

Every saver’s situation is unique, so having a conversation can help people better understand their choices and how these align with their longer-term plans. Understanding the differences between savings products – including fixed and variable rates – can help savers make the most of their ISA allowance, and ensure their money is working in a way that suits their individual goals.”

Principality Building Society is encouraging anyone in Haverfordwest who would like to review their savings ahead of the tax year end to visit their local branch for a supportive conversation about their options, and how they can make the most of their savings.

Source: Principality Building Society’s own online community, Member Pulse, survey on Cash ISAs, March 2026 (total respondents: 1,544)