First Minister, MP, MS and teaching unions call for safety and support for staff

POLITICAL leaders and teaching unions across Wales have spoken out following Thursday’s assault on a teacher at Milford Haven School, which led to a lockdown, a major police response and the arrest of a 15-year-old boy on suspicion of attempted murder.

The First Minister Eluned Morgan said she was “deeply concerned” by the incident and stressed that violence had no place in Welsh schools.

Her comments come just days after she visited the Milford Haven campus following the school being placed into special measures by Estyn, where she met leaders to discuss improvement plans and support arrangements.

She said her thoughts were with the injured teacher, their family and the wider school community, and praised the swift response of staff and emergency services.

Local MP Henry Tufnell, who represents Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, described the incident as deeply upsetting for what he called a close-knit community.

He said he was thinking of the teacher and pupils affected and thanked Dyfed-Powys Police and ambulance crews for their professionalism.

Meanwhile Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz said: “Deeply concerning news across the water in Milford Haven.

“Sadly, violence in our schools is becoming all too common, and thanks must go to the emergency services for their timely response. Thoughts are with the injured teacher, their family and the wider school community.”

Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies said teachers must feel safe at work and called for continued support for school staff.

Teaching unions also responded.

NASUWT said teachers “deserve to feel safe in their workplace” and that any violence against staff must be taken seriously, while National Education Union said schools must remain safe spaces for both pupils and staff and urged continued focus on safeguarding and behaviour support.

All said support would be offered to the Milford Haven school community in the days ahead as police investigations continue.

David Chadwick MP says James Evans MS ‘put career before constituents’ after party switch

A SENEDD member has defected to Reform UK, prompting sharp criticism from a neighbouring MP who accused him of abandoning his principles to protect his political future.

James Evans has left the Conservatives to join Reform UK, a move that immediately drew fire from local David Chadwick, the Welsh Liberal Democrats MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe.

Mr Chadwick said the switch raised serious questions about consistency and loyalty to voters in mid Wales.

‘Career before constituents’

In a strongly-worded statement, Mr Chadwick said: “What’s clear is that James Evans is more interested in protecting his own career than standing up for his constituents in Brecon and Radnorshire.

“You could fill a library with his past criticisms of Reform and of Conservative defectors. He has described Reform as a danger to national security because of its links to Russia, and warned they would push Britain towards an insurance-based NHS.

“Yet the moment his own seat came under threat, he jumped ship to the very people he once said had no principles.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are clear: our principles are not for sale. We will continue to do what we were elected to do, stand up for our constituents, not engage in political psychodrama.”

Past remarks resurface

The comments highlight a series of previous attacks made by Mr Evans on Reform UK and those who had joined the party.

He has previously questioned Reform’s leadership and direction, and suggested the party could not be trusted with the NHS, warning of a move towards insurance-based healthcare.

The Liberal Democrats also pointed to remarks made last year when Mr Evans criticised another Conservative who defected, saying she had “no principles”.

Opponents say those statements now sit uneasily with his own decision to change parties.

Growing political pressure

The defection comes amid increasing competition between parties across rural and mid Wales, with Reform seeking to capitalise on dissatisfaction with both Labour and the Conservatives ahead of the next Senedd election.

Mr Evans has yet to respond publicly to Mr Chadwick’s comments.

BILINGUAL road signs across parts of west Wales have been deliberately defaced, with English place names sprayed over in what politicians have described as targeted acts of vandalism.

Incidents have been reported in St Clears, Welshpool and Burry Port in recent days, with the English wording obscured while the Welsh language names were left untouched.

The damage has prompted criticism from Andrew RT Davies, the South Wales Central Conservative Member of the Senedd, who said the attacks were “disgraceful” and risk fuelling division within communities.

In St Clears, Carmarthenshire, black paint was sprayed across the English name on entrance signage, while the Welsh version, “Sancler”, remained clearly visible. The town itself dates back to the 12th century as an Anglo-Norman settlement, with the Welsh name derived from the original English.

Similar reports have emerged from Welshpool in Powys and Burry Port on the Carmarthenshire coast, where bilingual signs have also been tampered with.

Mr Davies said: “These attacks, presumably carried out by Welsh separatist activists, are disgraceful.

“The English language is central to Welsh culture.

“Attempts to erase it are completely unacceptable and must be condemned.”

He added that road signs are there for safety and navigation and should not be used to make political statements.

Local residents have also voiced frustration, with some pointing out that obscuring parts of signs could pose a risk to drivers unfamiliar with the area, particularly visitors and tourists.

Bilingual signage has been standard across Wales for decades, reflecting both Welsh and English as everyday languages used by communities. While the vast majority of signs remain untouched, the recent incidents appear to have been deliberate and selective.

Police have not yet confirmed whether any arrests have been made, but anyone with information about damage to public property is urged to contact their local force.

Anyone who spots vandalised signage is also advised to report it to their local council so repairs can be arranged quickly.