News

Trust in politics ‘perilously low’ after donations scandal

Published

1 year ago

October 2, 2024

CAMPAIGNERS called for greater openness, warning trust in politics is perilously low following controversy surrounding donations to the former first minister’s leadership bid.

Transparency International, a nonprofit organisation aimed at combating corruption, told Wales’ public accounts committee that polls show most people think politicians are “out for themselves”.

The charity raised concerns about donations to Vaughan Gething’s campaign, transparency on informal WhatsApp use during the pandemic, and leaks to the press.

Mr Gething declared the £200,000, from a convicted polluter, in line with rules on donations.

In evidence to the committee, Transparency International said: “Recent events in Wales … have brought into question the adequacy of current checks to protect integrity in high office.

“Presently, the first minister of the day produces a code of conduct outlining the standards expected of their colleagues, which they alone have the ability to enforce.”

Mark Isherwood, who chairs the committee, raised concerns about the Welsh Government refusing to publish its “cabinet handbook” in response to a request from Nation.Cymru.

Unlike the UK Government’s public cabinet manual, which sets out rules for the operation of government, the Welsh Government’s equivalent document remains a guarded secret.

Andrew Goodall, the Welsh Government’s permanent secretary, told the October 2 meeting that the two documents serve different purposes despite similarity in the labels.

Dr Goodall said the handbook collates internal-facing support for Welsh ministers and includes details of security arrangements which would not be appropriate to publish.

Wales’ most senior civil servant argued the UK manual was designed to be outward facing.

Dr Goodall explained the Welsh Government will produce a version of its handbook that is suitable to put into the public domain by the end of the year.

The former NHS Wales boss said: “I would like to be open – certainly with the committee – about areas or topics that we have chosen to exclude.”

Mr Isherwood replied: “Non-disclosure generates concerns that may not be merited and I’d suggest it’s in everyone’s interests for this to be fully in the public domain provided it doesn’t create risks for individuals in terms of security, for example.”

In his response to the committee’s consultation, Pedr ap Llwyd, the former chief executive of the National Library of Wales, stressed the importance of government transparency.

He wrote: “A balance must be struck between confidentiality on sensitive government matters and the public’s right to know how government operations are managed.”

Prof ap Llwyd urged the Welsh Government to do more to assure the public that robust mechanisms are in place to handle leaks fairly and thoroughly.

Dr Goodall said Wales follows unauthorised disclosure guidance overseen by the UK Government, “so we’re unable to release that information ourselves into the public”.

Pressed about the ministerial code, which sets standards for ministers, he said it is up to the first minister to decide how complaints are handled or ask for an independent adviser.

In its evidence, the Institute for Government joined Transparency International in calling for the code to be put in law to bring it in line with rules for the conduct of civil servants.

The independent think tank argued this would reaffirm the principle that ministers are as accountable for their behaviour as those who serve them.

Helen Foster, of the department of accounting, finance and economics at Ulster University’s business school, warned of a weakness in the ministerial code.

Dr Foster said the decision to instigate an investigation remains with the first minister, calling for legislative change to rectify the “defect” that limits accountability.

Labour’s Mike Hedges warned the system does not work, saying: “I know at least one former minister who feels really aggrieved with the actions of certain civil servants.”

The Tories’ Natasha Asghar asked whether David Richards, director of propriety and ethics, was acting as an independent adviser when investigating Dawn Bowden, then-arts minister.

Dr Goodall said Mr Richards, who was unable to appear before the committee for personal reasons, was not technically acting as an independent investigator under the code.

He said the first minister has discretion to appoint internally which reflects usual practice.

Ms Asghar pointed out that Mr Gething took advice from the permanent secretary to ensure he was acting within the code when sacking Hannah Blythyn over leak claims she denies.

Ms Asghar said the ministerial code gave no role to the permanent secretary and other officials for investigating breaches before it was changed in 2021.

Pressed about potential conflicts of interest, Dr Goodall reiterated that civil servants are not involved in enforcing the code.

Transparency International and the Institute for Government recommended appointing a standing external adviser, with Dr Foster calling for own-initiative investigations.

Quizzed about the use of informal messaging by ministers, Dr Goodall said all government business should be “translated” to be part of the official record.

Community

Young choristers recognised with Voice for Life awards at St Davids Cathedral

Published

14 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Choir members receive gold, silver and bronze medals after completing Royal School of Church Music programme

YOUNG singers from the choir at St Davids Cathedral have been recognised for their musical progress after receiving Voice for Life awards from the Royal School of Church Music.

The medals were presented during a ceremony at the cathedral, where choristers were praised for their dedication to developing their vocal skills and musical understanding.

The Voice for Life scheme is a national programme run by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), designed to help young choristers develop their singing ability, music theory knowledge and commitment to church music.

A total of ten choristers received awards during the presentation.

Harriet received the Gold Award, while Isabelle, Esther, Phoebe and Cora were presented with Silver Awards.

Bronze Awards were awarded to Avalon, Imogen, Megan, Abigael and Grace.

Two additional choristers were unable to attend the ceremony due to illness, but the cathedral said their awards will be presented at a later date.

The cathedral choir also thanked Laurence John for preparing the young singers so thoroughly for their examinations.

St Davids Cathedral Choir said it was delighted to see such a strong group of choristers successfully complete the programme and congratulated all those who received awards.

Crime

Man jailed after repeatedly breaching suspended sentence order

Published

14 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A 37-YEAR-OLD Ceredigion man has been jailed after repeatedly failing to comply with the terms of a suspended sentence order imposed for an assault.

Michael Smith, aged 37, of Cross Inn, Llandysul, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 9).

The court heard that Smith had failed to comply with requirements attached to a suspended sentence order originally imposed by Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on June 11, 2025.

He admitted breaching the order by failing to attend unpaid work on December 21, 2025, missing a planned probation appointment on January 29, 2026, and failing to provide acceptable evidence within the specified timeframe.

Smith admitted the breach when he appeared in court.

Magistrates were told the suspended sentence had originally been imposed following Smith’s conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The offence took place on October 13, 2024, at his home in Cross Inn, where he assaulted Sasha White, causing her actual bodily harm.

Because of the repeated breach of the order, magistrates decided to activate the suspended sentence.

Smith was ordered to serve the 16-week prison sentence that had previously been suspended for 18 months.

A further four weeks’ imprisonment was imposed consecutively on a related matter, bringing the total custodial sentence to 20 weeks.

In their sentencing remarks, magistrates said Smith had shown “very low and limited compliance” with the court order and had demonstrated a disregard for the requirements placed upon him.

The court also noted that he had committed a further offence shortly after the suspended sentence order had originally been imposed and that the breach represented his third failure to comply.

Smith had been on bail prior to the hearing but was taken into custody following the court’s decision.

Crime

Man jailed after threatening to chop teen’s ears off in drunken phone call

Published

14 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

17-year-old victim said she feared for her life after a series of threats

A MAN who threatened a teenage girl with violence during a series of phone calls has been jailed for 18 months.

Paul Gurney, aged 32, of Maes Grug, Stop and Call, Goodwick, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Mar 9) after admitting sending communications threatening death and serious harm.

The court heard the victim, a 17-year-old girl who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was alone at a property in Whitland on the evening of February 11 when she received a call from Gurney.

Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told the court that Gurney had previously been in a relationship with the teenager and appeared to be heavily intoxicated during the call.

During the conversation, he accused her of being unfaithful before making a series of threats.

“He told her he was going to come to her house and chop her ears off and that he would bring a gun and a baseball bat with him,” the court heard.

Later the same evening, Gurney contacted the girl again, telling her: “You betrayed me, so now I’m going to betray you and your family.”

The court was also told that Gurney posted a photograph of himself on Facebook holding a knife. When officers later searched his home, they found a BB gun and pellets.