Anglesey Council deputy leader steps down after saying ‘all Tories should be shot’
The deputy leader of a Welsh council has stepped down after saying during an internal meeting that “all Tories should be shot”.
Ieuan Williams, an independent councillor on Anglesey has apologised since making the comment on Monday morning and referred himself to the Standards Committee.
Conservative politicians have reacted angrily to his remark, including Anglesey MP Virginia Crosbie, who called it “appalling” and said she already wears a stab vest to surgeries.
Mr Williams said in a statement: “I apologise profusely for any offence caused by my inappropriate comment.
“The remark was made at the end of an emotionally charged statement, following a presentation on poverty on Anglesey.
“I am obviously not advocating shooting anyone and have apologised to all members present at the meeting.
“I have also referred myself to the Standards Committee and have stood down as deputy leader and member of the executive whilst any potential investigation takes place.”
The Lligwy representative said his comment was “not about any one individual” but a reaction to hearing food bank use on Anglesey has increased by 99% since November 2022.
He said while he withdraws his “crass remark” he hopes others will see the real issue is his “passion in fighting the corner of the most vulnerable in our society against a party which seems happy to forget about them”.
Disgusted
Ms Crosbie told Wales Online she is “disgusted” Mr Williams felt able to make such a comment and said she has been the target of “nastiness” from Plaid Cymru and other councillors since being elected in 2019.
The MP called for council leader Llinos Medi to “get her house in order and stop this behaviour”.
“This is not the rough and tumble of political life, this is out-and-out hate,” she said.
“Councillor Williams knows I wear a stab vest at surgeries but still he casually remarks I and others who are Conservative should be shot.
“Two MPs have lost their lives in the last seven years and still he thinks saying such things is OK.”
Mr Williams’ comment came almost seven years after Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered by a white supremacist in a terrorist attack.
David Amess MP, a Conservative, was killed in October 2021 by an Islamist extremist.
Welsh Conservative shadow minister for local government, Sam Rowlands MS, called the comment “dreadful and completely inexcusable”.
“The left often like to virtue signal about a kinder, gentler politics but then come out with comments like this,” he said.
Anglesey County Council has been contacted for comment.
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Astonishing, Crosbie doesn’t seem to understand that Ieuan Williams is an Independent councillor (not a member of Plaid Cymru). I always thought she was as thick as two short planks!! 😂
It may be an inappropriate comment, but also an indication that the Class Wars have barely begun.
Snowflakes.
Well, some Tories do love filling animals with shot, and filling themselves with shots.
She has a point on this issue – stab vest or no stab vest – we don’t need this sort of stuff. Just remember what Gwynfor taught us all – respect and reply to nasty comments and actions with a ‘ Calon lân ‘. The gutter is no place for us – 20 percent of Wales vote for these people. Our neighbours, families and work colleagues. mark d and his ‘ not kissing 😘 a Tory ‘ comment is so out of character and again must be the result of a mix of the very hot 🥵 weather and reaction… Read more »
The main point has been lost. Food Banks started under a Labour Government in the UK. The year 2000 in Salisbury whilst Tony Blair ruled supreme. He continued his predecessors drive to poverty for the common man and this Tory reign has perfected the art of making the UK a poor state. You can’t put a RIZZLA paper between the Red and Blue. The Red in Wales follows the Union in Westminster Joined at the hip by Green. Use your vote wisely. New Start New Welsh Independence Parties, NOT SAME OLD, Same old. Time for Change.
That remark should never be made, especially by a public representative. Ieuan Williams is an Independent councillor (not a member of Plaid Cymru). Such an event only illustrates that Crosbie and her Tories are very divisive figures in Wales. Why would anyone feel the need to wear ‘stab vests’ ? The Conservatives are an English party. We have our own centre-right party here in Wales: Gwlad. Why the UK Conservatives want to stand in Wales is beyond belief – they are far to the right of Gwlad and they only deny our parties the space to speak their views for… Read more »
Completely ridiculous, offensive and unnecessary thing to say. Why give your political enemies such ammunition? Crosbie’s popularity is at an all time low in Ynys Mon and will milk this for as long as she can.