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North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner calls on Rob Roberts to resign

02 Nov 2021 3 minute read
Andy Dunbobbin North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner. Picture Mandy Jones. Right, Rob Roberts Photo by David Woolfall is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

A police boss has joined a growing clamour calling on MP Rob Roberts to resign saying he is not fit to hold public office.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin spoke out after the Delyn MP was given his Conservative membership back after serving a 12-week suspension.

Rob Roberts was stripped of the Conservative Party whip after an independent panel found he had sexually harassed a member of his staff.

According to the former member of staff, Mr Roberts had repeatedly propositioned him.

As a result, the staff member was left feeling “shocked” and “horrified”.

Mr Roberts insisted his actions were “romantic” rather than sexual but has apologised for his “completely improper” behaviour.

Mr Dunbobbin said: “It is shameful and shocking that Rob Roberts has not had the decency to resign because he clearly is not fit to hold public office after admitting such improper behaviour.

“We should be able to expect MPs and other people in public office to uphold the highest standards and if, as in this case, they clearly breach those standards then surely they should forfeit the right to represent their constituents who frankly deserve so much better.”

‘Loophole’

Mr Roberts, who was elected in 2019, has ignored repeated calls for him to stand down since his behaviour came to light.

Back in May MPs approved a motion to suspend Mr Roberts from attending the House of Commons for six weeks which was in line with the recommendation of the independent panel.

The Conservative Party then decided to double the length of the suspension to 12 weeks.

Because he was suspended by an independent panel rather than a parliamentary committee it meant he was not subject to a recall position which could have triggered a byelection in Delyn.

MPs voted last month to change the rules so members who are suspended for offences such as sexual harassment  or bullying can now face a recall position.

But the House of Commons voted against a Labour proposal to apply the rules retrospectively.

Even though he no longer has the Conservative whip, that has enabled Mr Roberts to continue sitting as an independent MP.

Many senior MPs, including Leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg, have previously urged Mr Roberts to resign.

Mr Dunbobbin: “It is wholly unacceptable that Mr Roberts should be able to exploit this legal loophole and remain in the House and continue to be paid by the public purse.

“I am also surprised that the Conservative Party are, as far as I am aware, allowing Mr Roberts to share an office in Mold with their North Wales MS, Mark Isherwood.

“I would like to the Conservatives to confirm whether this is the care or not.

“I the meantime, many people in Delyn – including my friends and family – are horrified that they are currently being represented by Roberts.

“He should go and go now, rather than trying to cling on and lingering like a bad smell.”


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Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago

Being a politician is the only job you can be a criminal or cause an offense, be it financial or sexual, and not be removed from office, and in some cases even get rewarded as done with our cretinous Conservatives who misrule us from this idiocratic shambloc government in England. Here’s some examples. We have the likes of Priti Patel, who did shady dealings with Israel, sacked numerous times , but rewarded with the post of Home Secretary. The same can be said of Nadine Dorries, who as it a sitting MP made 82K after secretly joing the cast of… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Y Cymro
j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

The current idea of political alliance should be applied to rid us of as many Tories as possible. As the song goes, it’s “Time To Say Goodbye”!

Last edited 2 years ago by j humphrys
Huw Davies
Huw Davies
2 years ago

Mr Dunbobbin. A great name just after Halloween! I doubt Mr Pumpkin Roberts will resign, though.

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