‘I’m not the KGB’ McEvoy says as Senedd swept for bugs after secret recordings
Assembly Member Neil McEvoy has branded the Llywydd’s response to his secret recording of the Standards Commissioner “ridiculous” after she announced that the Senedd would be swept for bugs.
“I’m not the KGB,” he said in a press conference today, and added that he had used his phone to record the conversations.
“The reaction of the Llywydd is ridiculous, saying she wants the whole Assembly estate swept for bugs. Jesus! I’m just an Assembly Member.
“I’ve been open, I’ve not denied anything. This is the device. This is the device that recorded matters. And I’m astonished they never saw it.”
The Senedd’s Standards Commissioner, Sir Roderick Evans QC, resigned yesterday after revealing that himself and members of his staff have been secretly recorded by Neil McEvoy.
McEvoy then sent a transcript of some of the recordings to journalists, saying that they proved that Roderick Evans was sexist and biased.
Speaking in the Siambr today, Llywydd Elin Jones said that the “covert recording of private conversations on the Assembly estate is a serious breach of trust”.
“On the matter of covert recordings, South Wales police have been asked to investigate how such recordings were made and their legality.
“A search of the Senedd estate for recording devices starting with meeting rooms and other commonly used areas is already underway.
“I advise Neil McEvoy to be quiet and to listen to me at this point,” she said when he interrutped.
Roderick Evans had been investigating Mr McEvoy on three counts, including the use of £5,000 for office building work.
“I want to be the last Welsh Assembly member facing anonynmous complaints,” Neil McEvoy said at the press conference.
“I want to be the last Welsh Assembly Member facing made-up, fictitious statements submitted anonymously so there is no way of seeking redress.
“There is no way to scrutinise things that are said anonymously.”
‘Serious’
Roderick Evans resigned saying that “conversations with my staff about a variety of highly confidential and sensitive matters have been secretly, and possibly illegally, recorded”.
“When considering and investigating complaints it is necessary for me and my staff to have open and frank discussions about the complaints, the appropriate approach to them, and their implications.
“I thank my staff for their support during the last three years, but I therefore ask you to accept my resignation.”
Llywydd Elin Jones said yesterday she had begun the process of of appointing an acting Commissioner to undertake the Standards Commissioner’s work.
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Sounds to me like all Assembly Members resent being held to some form of disciplinary code. Now that code may need revising but doing without any kind of code will reduce the place to an undisciplined shambles with likes of Bennett, David, Wood and others, egged on by outsiders like David Davies M.P , setting new lows in behavioural norms.
“They don’t like it up em” Well Done Neil McEvoy for holding the Standards Commissioner to such low standards. He didn’t have to resign, just defend the comments that were made by himself and his office. It is obvious that the Investigators ‘the arbiters of taste and decency’ don’t like being investigated. Even though Mr McEvoy claims not to be a member of the KGB, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was approached to do some work for the Kremlin, because of his past success of unearthing dust in dark corners.
A.M’s don’t like being held to account evidently. Many of them don’t like Neil McEvoy either. Now they have the ex Commissioner and his team as targets for their damp squibs. Starting to look like yet another daisy chain of dissent and smug superiority. Reality is none of them have much to be superior about. Time they took a good look at themselves and started to behave like elected representatives.
Of course the commisioner had to resign. Mr Mcevoy has created a conflict of interest. If and I suspect it is highly likely, the commissioner is pursuing civil action, there’s no way he could remain in post.
How many fights must a lost boy have, before he’ll say what he’s angry for?
The answer my friend, the answer blows through Cardiff West.
If Mr Mcevoy has done this with any kind of legal advice, I would be shocked. Covert recording, compromising an investigation, the list of possible civil and legal options are numerous and severe. This is concerning behaviour and he has potentially ruined his life. Unbelievable stupidity.
‘Live by publicity, die by publicity.’ No wonder Neil McEvoy’s upset. That must have struck the Mouth of the Taff like a bullet to the heart.
This needs The Cone Of Silence. Send for Maxwell Smart, now!
wonderfully divided comments here, poetic and obscure too. What are people so afraid of? Secrecy is being used to disempower, confidentiality weaponised to keep control, keep the underdog, the whistle blower in their kennels, chained up. People will salute neil for lifting the lid on the closed door machinations of the powerful.
Everyone who has had secrecy used as a control weapon will recognise the value of this simple act of exposing the standards commissioner to the light of public scrutiny. Those calling this act criminal should stop and reflect on what they are saying.
People should be afraid that an AM has recorded private conversations, obstructed an investigation into questionable conduct and potentially committed a crime. Most of what you have written doesn’t seem related to the substance of the story. Maybe you are privy to information others aren’t but from what has been reported this is incredibly concerning behaviour. There seems to be a strange flipancy towards what is unacceptable behaviour, that I’m sure wouldnt be present if this happened to themselves in their workplace.
The substance of the story is the contents of the recordings, and why the commissioner felt the need to resign. This hysterical deflection by Elin Jones and her little puppy dog Ifan Morgan Jones, will not work. One down, more to come. Corruption Bay must be cleaned up or we won’t have a Senedd, and we won’t deserve it.
The substance of the story and the police investigation will focus on 2 questions, did Mr Mcevoy covertly record a private conversation and is there anything in that conversation that is in the public interest, to justify making details public. If the answer to the second is no, that’s a criminal offence. When people look at what this is, not what they want it to be, they may realise how serious an act it is and how severe the repercussions could be for Mr Mcevoy.
If you weren’t so blinded by your prejudice Alwyn, you’d know that this has nothing to do with the police, and that they’ve already said as much. So, no, it is not a criminal offence. Also, if you were interested in the facts, you’d know that the Standards Commissioner himself allowed covert recordings to be used in evidence against AMs.
You really need to better acquaint yourself with the facts, and not see this for “what [you] want it to be”.
I am as familiar with the reported facts as you are and by your statements a lot more familiar with the law. Only you are showing prejudice by promoting untruths. This is being a investigated by the police. This is a potential criminal and civil offence. There are circumstances under which covert recordings can be shared and used as evidence in investigations. That is a matter of reality, not opinion. Is there anything in the reports that meet a public interest defence for Mr Mcevoy? If the answer is no, then it’s a criminal offence and will likely bring be… Read more »
Well, I think it’s time to bring this conversation to a close. You clearly do not know the facts, nor do you care to know the facts. He is not being investigated by the police; there is no criminal offence.
You have gone from IT is not being investigated to HE is not being investigated. IT is being investigated, HE is not being investigated at this time. No person is investigated until they are investigated. We will leave it there, as obviously you are completely ignorant of legal process.
FYI both Gweirydd and Alwyn. A quote taken from another blog.
‘Update 13/11/2019. Neil McEvoy has confirmed that he has received confirmation, in writing, from South Wales Police, that he is not being investigated by them over the matter of ‘covert recording’. No crime took place. It is not a police matter.’
Mr Mcevoy has confirmed he is not under investigation, that can and will change when initial investigation has begun. If I rob a bank, get in the getaway car and call the police, they will confirm I am not under investigation for the bank robbery as no facts have been established for them to pursue an investigation. As for “no crime took place” the police have definitely not said that. They have “yet to establish” a crime, is a very different statement. You are being misled and should question why. The law is narrow and statements are legally precise.
John Young. Would you like to edit your post to reflect that Mr Mcevoy is now stating:
“They are looking into circumstances, not me i am advised.”
It is a police matter. Police investigation processes are clear, predictable and no amount of playing with legalese will protect Mr Mcevoy from the inevitable.
Well said, Vicky. Most people will see it like that. The establishment in Corruption Bay will not.
Removing the potential of malice through subversive anonymity is a far greater cause than local upset, shame and ruffled feathers. These are the selfish actions that lead to the death of a man. Do see the bigger picture here from this altruistic (sic – this will be painful) and cathartically driven whistle-blower.
Like what you’ve done with your name, Anne, and I hope Neil M doesn’t get his prunes roasted for this risky but well-intentioned act of public spiritedness. For every decrier, there’s a supporter of what he does for Cymru.