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Andrew RT Davies and senior advisor accused of spreading misinformation

08 Aug 2023 4 minute read
Left: Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives. Right: Cllr George Carroll, Conservative Group Leader.

Emily Price

Andrew RT Davies and his most senior advisor have been accused of spreading misinformation after a press release was sent containing “wholly incorrect” information regarding single sex changing rooms at a bowls pavilion.

The leader of the Welsh Conservative’s senior advisor, George Carroll, sent a press release on Thursday (August 3) to a number of news outlets which contained information about new plans for the Belle Vue Pavilion in Penarth.

As well as advising Andrew RT Davies in his Senedd role, George Carroll is also the Conservative Group Leader for Vale of Glamorgan Council.

In the press release Mr Davies and Cllr Carroll claimed that separate male and female changing rooms would not be provided at the new pavilion.

The email – which has been obtained by Nation Cymru – was sent directly from Cllr Carroll’s Vale Conservatives email address.

It was titled: “Vale Conservatives: “Belle Vue Pavilion debacle unacceptable””

It continued: “Local Conservatives have slammed the latest debacle surrounding Penarth’s Belle Vue Pavilion, after it emerged separate male and female changing facilities had not been provided.

“Welsh Conservative Leader Andrew RT Davies, whose South Wales Central region includes Penarth said, “Whether this is a mere oversight, or the Council’s latest attempt to impose an extreme ideology on Vale residents, it is not good enough.

“The whole fiasco with the Pavilion has been a debacle of the Labour-council’s making. This is just the latest shambles to occur.”

“Cllr George Carroll, Leader of Vale Conservative councillors, added, “Many people in the Eastern Vale are members of Belle Vue Bowling Club, including some of my own constituents in Llandough.

“They rightly expect access to single sex spaces and its unacceptable they have not been provided. The Council must address this urgently.”

Plans

Nation Cymru was able to obtain both the old and new layout plans for the Belle Vue Pavilion.

The previous layout of the building only provided home and away changing rooms which did not include separate male and female changing spaces – this was because there was not a formal women’s team.

However, the new layout plan does include both male and female toilets with their own separate changing area attached.

There will also be a slightly larger changing room and toilet which provides disabled access as well as an area for baby changing.

The previous layout of the Belle Vue Pavilion in Penarth

“Plans”

The Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Lis Burnett hit out at Mr Davies and Cllr Carroll on social media and accused the pair of sending information to media outlets that was “wholly incorrect”.

In a Tweet, Cllr Burnett said: “I was asked to comment on this press release issued by Cllr Carroll and his employer.

“I’m hugely disappointed that they didn’t check the facts before it was issued. Most media outlets didn’t cover the story once they realised it was wholly incorrect.”

New plans for Belle Vue Pavilion in Penarth which include separate male and female changing rooms.

“Disappointed”

Nation Cymru contacted both Andrew RT Davies and Cllr George Carroll to ask why they had sent PR out claiming male and female changing areas would not be provided at the pavilion when plans show there will be provision for men and women separately.

In a statement, Mr Davies said: “The Council Leader can call them what she likes, but it’s a fact the old pavilion had two sets of changing rooms and the new facility only has one.

“The Council may say residents can use the toilets, but this will provide insufficient space. Local bowlers have raised concerns and I make no apologies for standing up for them.”

Cllr Carroll did not respond to our attempts to obtain a statement from him regarding the press release.

The leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Lis Burnett said: “I’m disappointed that an experienced councillor would not check the plans that have been openly available on the Council’s website for over two years or check with our officers who would be only too happy to provide accurate information.

“I’d like to reassure local residents and prospective users that male and female changing rooms and toilets along with baby changing facilities and a high spec Changing Space will soon be open alongside the low carbon multi-use facility and café.”


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Steve Woods
Steve Woods
1 year ago

Got to keep those culture wars well stoked and misinformation is a perfect fuel.

Dai Ponty
Dai Ponty
1 year ago

Well its a well known fact the Tories always do MISINFORMATION LIES AND BLAME OTHERSFOR THEIR MESS

The Original Mark
The Original Mark
1 year ago

Surprise, surprise, the tories caught spreading fake news. (again)

Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
1 year ago

If you’re sick to the back teeth of endemic lies, please send your complaints for the attention of Miss Information or Miss Leading at:
The Dept for Alternative Truth,
Whopper House,
Bull Street,
Blatant Blather,
Bunkumshire,
LI3 7ZZ.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
1 year ago

Tory turnip Andrew RT Davies & Welsh Conservatives have normalised lying to the point that they are brazen when caught out. Obviously this disinformation was intended to whip up hostility & hatred to society’s vulnerable. Just look recently at David TC Davies debacle where it’s likely he pulled a few strings to have the case dropped over his racist leaflet about Gypsies. He like Andrew RT Davies are compulsive & divisive liars. In 2016 David TC Davies unashamedly lied about the Brexit benefits for Wales when he stated how we’d enjoy and land of milk and money if we voted… Read more »

Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
1 year ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

Since the first time I voted in 1983, my main driver on entering a polling booth has been GET TORIES OUT or for a while it was KEEP TORIES OUT. This has become increasingly important as the years have gone by but now, it is critical. They have turned this island into a morally bereft swamp of hatred where nothing works for the overwhelming majority of those who live on it. The idea that they could be given the chance to continue their destruction agenda for another 5 years is a blood curdling and terrifying prospect, a true living nightmare… Read more »

The original mark
The original mark
1 year ago
Reply to  Fi yn unig

And a Starmer lead government is equally alarming, especially if he keeps the present front bench intact.

Gareth
Gareth
1 year ago

Even when NC contacted A R T Davies and pointed out the error, he still continued with the falsity. These people have no principles.

Richard
Richard
1 year ago

ARTD always tries to cause shock in the summer months …

……..just as DET did when he was with Plaid….

…..Nothing new in the world 🌎

Marc
Marc
1 year ago

I told my young son about this story, his response was to call Andrew R2D2 “ a little weirdo” I can’t say I disagree

Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
1 year ago
Reply to  Marc

Smart boy. Keep informing him.

Erisian
Erisian
1 year ago

Not a thought in his head, not a policy in his portfolio.
Nothing left but a dog whistle.
Very sad.

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