Reform MS accused of ‘racist’ comments appointed to scrutinise Nation of Sanctuary policy
Emily Price
A Reform MS accused of making “racist” remarks about asylum seekers has been elected to the Senedd committee that scrutinises the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary policy.
Caerdydd Penarth MS Joe Martin has been appointed to the Equality, Human Rights and Social Justice Committee – a nine-member cross-party group responsible for scrutinising Welsh Government policies in those areas.
The committee will be chaired by Plaid Cymru’s Zaynub Akbar.
Other members include Reform’s Laura Anne Jones and Steve Bayliss, Labour MS Jayne Bryant, Welsh Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter, Liberal Democrat Jane Dodds and Plaid Cymru’s Elfed Williams and Sarah Rees.
The group is tasked with examining Welsh Government spending relating to equality and human rights, fair work, community cohesion and safety, poverty, and social justice.
The committee can also oversee any policy area through an equality and human rights lens.
Mr Martin’s new appointment, along with those of members serving on the Senedd’s 15 other committees, was approved without objection during a plenary session on Tuesday (June 23).
In a post to social media, the Reform MS said he will fight for “real human rights in Wales” including, “protecting our families, defending free speech, securing our borders and putting Welsh communities first.”
He added: “No more virtue-signalling. Proper scrutiny. Real justice.”
Borders
The post included a black flag emoji, often used to signal anti-establishment views or defiance and rebellion.
It also featured an image of Senedd Members from rival parties posing with refugees holding a Welsh Refugee Council banner reading “Wales, Nation of Sanctuary”.
Neither the Senedd nor the Welsh Government has any power to “secure borders”.
Border security, immigration, visas, and asylum rules are reserved powers belonging to the UK Government.
Mr Martin became the focus of a row in the Senedd last week after some Members staged a walkout during a speech he made about international spending.
During the session, the Reform MS cracked jokes about illiterate students and claimed Welsh nurses were signing up for universal credit because their jobs were being given to Indian workers.
Several Labour and Plaid Cymru Senedd Members, along with Welsh Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter, walked out during proceedings in protest at Mr Martin’s speech.
‘Vile’
It came the day after he was accused of making “vile” and “disturbing” comments about asylum seekers during questions to the first minister.
The Reform MS claimed that supporters of the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary scheme oppose its abolition because no Ukrainian refugees had “beheaded people in the streets” yet.
“The same cannot be said for Sudanese asylum seekers,” he added.
Welsh ministers alleged that Mr Martin had breached the Senedd’s conduct rules.
Trefnydd Heledd Fychan branded his remarks “outright racism”, adding that the Reform MS has brought the Senedd into disrepute.
The Llywydd issued a warning to all Senedd Members last week to “avoid using language that has the potential to inflame debate”.
Huw Irranca-Davies repeated his warning following Mr Martin’s comments during the international spending debate.
Warning
Speaking to the Reform MS directly, he said: “I would like you to reflect, please, on the remarks and your contribution today.
“It was not in line with my expectations. Going forward, I think we all need to reflect on this and make sure that we comply with our conduct within this Chamber and the way we comport ourselves in light of my remarks.
“It’s particularly disappointing, as I made those remarks for a very good purpose earlier this afternoon.
“We can have robust disagreement, but with respect for each other and respect for others out there in wider society.”
Mr Martin claimed that politicians and journalists who covered the story were attempting to discredit him.
He said: “I was well aware that consensus politicians and media would try to silence and discredit me for standing up for what I believe, and it hasn’t deterred me one bit.
“It’s part of the job and I accept that. It’s been a privilege standing up for my constituents, Reform voters, and common sense.
“Don’t let anyone shame you for saying what you think is right.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
Get more trusted Welsh news
Choose Nation.Cymru as a preferred source in Google News to see more of our journalism.
He should have been censured and given more than just a warning. I have no concerns though because nation.cymru will always be listening to next filth he will definitely spout out. Once a racist, always a racist.
The filth of racism is always followed by other sinister activities.
Very true
Perhaps he’ll face his “road to Damascus” moment, but I doubt it very much.
He’ll probably knuckle down and make himself even more of a laughing stock.
Well, that’s demonstrably not true. Bigotry festers in ignorance. Education fixes that. Sure, one has to be willing to learn, but no opinion or worldview is set in stone. Your expression smacks of virtue-signalling, and (might I humbly suggest?) is a form of bigotry in its own right. Righteous indignation is not helpful in remedying this situation.
Let the downvotes commence (sigh!)
While I would normally agree with you especially in regards to integration with society. In this day and in Wales, are you seriously suggesting that we lack education regarding bigotry and the belief that one race is better than another because of the fairness of their skin?
Of course not. It comes down to the individual. As Art Garfunkel wrote, “Still, the man hears what he wants to hear.”
Well Mr Martin, good luck with securing our borders, because if you try to stop people entering from England, that could be called out as racist and anti English, your party would probably be the first to say it, you can’t be talking about UK borders and stopping people from entering the UK, as that is the sole responsibility of the UK Gov and nothing to do with our gov. To be able to change anything regarding borders you must become a MP in Westminster. Off you go then.
The irony is that his party as the Brexit Party caused all the problems they now rail against.
We need him to carry on being unhinged so he can show his electorate his true colours.
I hope he uses his freedom of speech to its full capacity.
I look forward to his suspension from the Senedd or his arrest for hate crimes shortly
Looking at the positive mainstream media inquisition into Farage’s 5 million pounds bribe, it is looking like the beginning of end of reform.
Like all too many Reform UK politicians and supporters this man is obnoxious.
It’s like employing a vampire to oversee a blood bank. We simply cannot tolerate anymore racist Reform in the Senedd Cymru. Something has to be done to stop the hateful devisive language used by these moronic trolls.
Reform swept to power in certain English regions, but not in Wales. Wales took action by not making Reform the dominant party.
The next few years may involve Reform candidates stating their opinion, lots of media coverage – and hopefully a fall in their vote shares in bi-elections / council elections.
Yes, and as you are well aware, Reform is shedding councillors in England like a snake sheds its skin. Not a day goes by without it being reported that Reform councillors are either sacked for racism or are now sitting as independents, having questioned the direction of the party—especially with English fascist Rupert Lowe and Restore Britain breathing down Farage’s neck. Reform, like UKIP and the Brexit Party, will eventually go the way of the dodo. It is essentially a chip-paper party: throwaway and surplus to requirements.
Next up, Reform will be demanding the deportation of all Ukrainian civilians currently residing in Wales so they can be properly mass murdered by their sleazy Russian establishment friends.
There are two members on this committee who are still driving the lie which cost them the Caerffili by election, the one that ignores the FACT that the vast majority of Nation of Sanctuary funds went to accomodating Ukrainians and yet they seem to shy away from classing those people the same as their regular targets which is odd really given that they are all Vlads’ stooges. Disinformation driving is their core purpose. Heed NOTHING they say.
The whole point of these committees is rigorous scrutiny of Welsh Government policy with the hopeful end of improving the legislation and outcomes, from which everybody wins. Based on what I’ve seen of him and his party colleagues so far I don’t have a lot of confidence that they will contribute positively.
The current Senedd voting system has created this situation. Not only has it given a platform to racists and bigots, it has given them the opportunity to employ like minded cronies as advisers and caseworkers.
Imagine for one moment, as a Muslim or member of an ethnic minority, having to approach the likes of this clown or his fellow travellers for help.
Extraordinary stuff. Insane decision. Nevertheless, the NoS policy does need consideration and scrutiny. I would like to know why this appears to be such a priority, how much it costs, how much it will cost, why the money isn’t being spent on NHS, education etc instead. 50 million was mentioned as a cost at one point. Is this true? Valid questions in these tough times.
Tough times?
Wales has a £25 billion pension fund that is used for projects, such as £6m in Newport https://www.gov.uk/government/news/25-billion-powered-wales-pension-partnership-pool-to-deliver-growth-and-jobs-for-wales
A shrewd government would follow the projects, gradually do extra, never spend more than 5% of the funds assets and focus on using apprentices and suppliers from most economically depressed parts of Wales.
He could have used his mouth to ask a valid question.
He chose not to.
He chose to make a racist statement.
It would be interesting to look at his internet activity.
I think this a good thing. He will no doubt be using this as a platform to spout his objectionable views (which is putting it mildly) and it’s important to let him get it out of his system. Once that’s done, he will then be confronted with the facts of the Nation of Sanctuary policy and the fact that his values do not reflect the values of the Senedd, let alone the country. If the basis of his views are racist, which I suspect they are, they will be easily exposed in that forum.
This is going to be fun to watch ! Is the chair of this committee the one that started the walk out during Martin’s speech ?
How will they get on doing this committee is anyone’s guess!!
This makes as much sense as appointing Dracula to supervise the Blood Transfusion Service.