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Sacked Welsh Government minister Hannah Blythyn gives her side of story

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A MINISTER sacked by Wales’ First Minister amid claims she leaked information to the press has broken her silence, telling the Senedd her side of the story.

Hannah Blythyn, the Labour MS who has represented Delyn since 2016, reiterated her vehement denial of the allegations made by Vaughan Gething.

She was accused of leaking messages between ministers which revealed the First Minister deleted Covid-era texts to swerve freedom of information legislation.

Ms Blythyn has been on leave and her personal statement was the first time she has spoken in the chamber, or Siambr, since her sacking in May.

Describing it as a privilege to serve in government – “particularly under Mark Drakeford” – she said: “This is not a statement that is easy for me to make, nor one that I take lightly.

“Indeed, there were times in the not-too-distant past when I’m not sure I would or could stand and speak in this Siambr again.

“I do so today because I know my removal from government has been a focus of discussion in this place while I have not been here.

“I also feel a responsibility to those closest to me and my many constituents who have demonstrated great patience, understanding and confidence in me….

“I know I can look all my colleagues who sit on these benches in the eye and say I have never leaked or briefed the media about any of you.

“In fact, I can say to everyone in this Siambr.

“Whilst I will not share the detail, I will wish to share that I have formally raised concerns about the process by which I was removed from government.”

Ms Blythyn said she was not being shown any alleged evidence before being sacked, made aware she was under investigation nor advised she had broken the ministerial code.

She told the Senedd: “I absolutely recognise and respect that it is within the gift of any First Minister to appoint and remove members of their government.

“I understand the nature of politics, I completely accept that. I raise concerns not out of self-interest but because I fundamentally believe in devolution and public service.”

In closing, she said: “In spite of the challenges and difficulties – perhaps because of them – I feel a renewed sense of commitment to the politics of public service and a real determination to continue to contribute to devolved democracy, my community and our country.”

She added: “I have very real concerns that lessons have not been learned from the past.

“Proper process not only needs to be in place and followed to ensure the dignity and respect of individuals but also to uphold the integrity of the civil service and the office of First Minister.

“I want to take a moment to reflect on something that is very personal and somewhat difficult for me but I feel it’s important to say for the sake of how we do politics.

“I know there has been speculation about my circumstances and whether I have been well enough to work.

“This has ranged from tantamount to misinformation and what can be put down to misunderstanding.”

Ms Blythyn told the chamber the past few months have taken a toll on her mental health as she called for a kinder politics.

She said: “It should not be surprising that what happened has been hugely detrimental to me on a personal level and led to acute anxiety and stress.

“I have never been signed off work before …. there was a point when the thought of putting my camera on to vote and seeing you all literally took my breath away.

“I share this now not in search of sympathy, I don’t want people’s sympathy, but because my recent experience has brought home to me that while we all ‘talk the talk’ on mental health, there is still more to do to improve our understanding and the impact that it has on individuals and their ability to do things we would ordinarily take for granted.

“Sadly, I think sometimes we get so caught up in the politics that we don’t always think about the person.”

Immediately following her sacking, Ms Blythyn wrote on social media: “I am deeply shocked and saddened by what has happened.

“I am clear and have been clear that I did not, nor have I ever leaked anything.

“Integrity is all in politics and I retain mine.”

In a statement at the time, the First Minister said: “It is of vital importance we are able to maintain confidence among government colleagues, so we work as one to focus on improving the lives of the people in Wales.”

Mr Gething kept the door open for his Labour colleague to return to government in future, praising her work on fire services and Wales’ LGBTQ+ action plan.

Martin Shipton, associate editor of Nation Cymru, penned an article in early May, accusing the First Minister of misleading the UK Covid inquiry by not admitting to deleting records.

In a ministerial group chat in August 2020, Mr Gething, the then-health minister, wrote in the leaked iMessage: “I’m deleting the messages in this group.

“They can be captured in an FoI [freedom of information] and I think we are all in the right place on the choice being made.

Ms Blythyn, a trade unionist from Connah’s Quay, supported Mr Gething’s opponent Jeremy Miles in the Labour leadership race after Mark Drakeford stood down.

The left-winger, who has been tipped as a potential future Welsh Labour leader, served as deputy minister for housing, local government and the environment under the former First Minister.

 

Business

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

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A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.

In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.

A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.

“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.

“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.

“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”

It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.

“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.

“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”

The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.

 

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Business

Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales

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A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.

In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.

The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.

It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.

Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.

Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.

The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.

It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.

“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”

The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.

“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”

The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.

 

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News

Council unveils plans for new state-of-the-art secondary school in Milford Haven

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art school in Milford Haven, promising modern, inspiring learning spaces for children and young people across the community.

A newly released video accompanying the announcement features the First Minister, the local authority’s Deputy Leader, the Cabinet Member for Education and the headteacher, outlining what the development will deliver. The plans include specialist teaching areas, improved accessibility, and high-quality outdoor learning and play spaces.

The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient features and modern building standards designed to reduce environmental impact while delivering long-term value.

The scheme forms part of a Strategic Outline Case approval. Any final funding commitment will depend on the project successfully progressing through the full business case process.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This project represents a major investment in our children’s future. The new school will offer a safe, modern and inclusive environment where pupils can thrive, and we are delighted to share this vision with the community as we move towards the next stage of this exciting process.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan added: “This is fantastic news for pupils, parents, teachers and the whole community. Modern learning environments can make a real difference to pupils and staff alike. The Welsh Government has shown its commitment to new schools in Pembrokeshire as part of our wider programme of improving schools and colleges across Wales.”

Speaking on behalf of staff, pupils and governors, Deputy Headteacher Daryl John said the school community was excited by the plans.

He said: “Milford Haven School recently welcomed a visit from the First Minister, along with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, to mark initial progress on proposals for a new, aspirational school building.

“The development will provide inspirational learning and teaching spaces, offering high-quality, ambitious and equitable opportunities for all pupils. It aims to support our young people to thrive, develop their talents and grow into confident, successful individuals, supported by dedicated staff and the wider school community.”

Stephen Thomas, Headteacher at Milford Haven Primary School, said the project had been long awaited.

He said: “This new school building has been long awaited, and I know how much it will mean to our children, staff and the community as a whole in Milford Haven.

“For many years, our community has hoped for facilities that truly reflect the potential, pride and ambition of our children, and now that vision is becoming a reality.

“This is more than just a new building. It is a statement of belief in our young people and in the future of Milford Haven. It will provide modern, high-quality learning environments, improved spaces for wellbeing and inclusion, and facilities that will open up wider opportunities for our pupils and families.

“As Headteacher, I feel incredibly proud and grateful to see this investment in our community. Our children deserve the very best, and this new school will help us continue raising aspirations, strengthening community links and ensuring every child can thrive.”

The council will now begin a period of consultation and engagement with pupils, staff, parents and local residents to ensure the new school reflects the needs and ambitions of the whole community.

 

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