Gwynedd council leader quits after paedophile head teacher row

The leader of Gwynedd council has resigned less than a week after becoming embroiled in a row after refusing to apologise to the victims of a paedophile head teacher.

Four members of the council’s cabinet quit last Friday after Dyfrig Siencyn refused to apologise to the victims of paedophile head teacher Neil Foden during an interview with S4C.

Becca Brown, Berwyn Parry Jones, Dafydd Meurig and Elin Walker Jones issued a joint statement, saying they “wish to distance ourselves from the comments made by leader Dyfrig Siencyn”.

Newyddion S4C

On Friday afternoon Mr Siencyn rowed back on his earlier interview with Newyddion S4C, saying he was sorry for “all those who suffered” and would consider his own “situation” over the weekend.

A statement issued by the council’s ruling Plaid Cymru group said that the leader offered his resignation to members on Wednesday (16 October) which was accepted.

It continued: “All group members wish to express their sincere gratitude to Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn for his work and dedication as leader over the past seven years. We wish him well for the future.

“The election of a new leader for the Group will take place, in due course, in accordance with our normal procedure and processes.”

Honour

Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to lead Cyngor Gwynedd over the past seven years. I wish to express my sincere thanks to my fellow Cabinet members, elected members of all political groups and to Council staff for their friendship, commitment and tireless work for the people and communities of the county.

“I am also indebted to the other north Wales council leaders for their support for my work as chair of the North Wales Ambition Board and the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee. I also pay tribute to my fellow leaders of all political parties in the Welsh Local Government Association for their commitment to local government.

“I look back with pride at what we have achieved here at Cyngor Gwynedd over the past seven years. In particular, pioneering work has been done to secure homes for local people and to better manage second homes within the county; we have invested significantly in school buildings; UNESCO status has also been secured for our slate areas, resulting in significant funding which will bring new prosperity to these communities.

“It is also important to remember the heroic work done by the army of staff from across the Council, partners from the third sector, volunteers and communities to support the people of Gwynedd through the Covid crisis.

“I am also pleased that Cyngor Gwynedd has taken decisive action to safeguard our most vulnerable residents from the devastating effects of the cost of living crisis, while at the same time protecting key services from wave after wave of budget cuts.

“I must acknowledge that this most recent period – and the horrific information which has come to light about the unforgivable crimes of the paedophile Neil Foden – has been the most challenging for the Council as an authority and for myself as Leader.

“I am deeply sorry for the pain the victims and their families have gone through at the hands of this man, and they remain at the forefront of my mind.”

Jailed

Foden, who was head at Ysgol Friars in Bangor and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Penygroes, both in Gwynedd was jailed for 17 years in July for 19 offences involving the abuse of four girls over a four-year period.

A BBC Wales Investigates programme broadcast last week revealed allegations of abuse from as far back as 1979, with one former pupil saying she was messaging him up until the day of his arrest.