Labour and Conservative members apologise over alleged Covid lockdown breach

A Labour Senedd member has been suspended by his party and Conservative members are under investigation following an alleged breach of Covid-19 rules on the Welsh parliament’s estate.

The three Conservatives involved, which include one party leader, have issued a statement and apologised for their actions but have insisted they did not break the rules.

Paul Davies, Darren Millar and Paul Smith said: “We are profoundly sorry for our actions.  While we did not break the rules, we recognise that what was part of a day’s work would not be seen to be following the spirit of them, especially given the tough time the country has been going through.”

A spokesperson for the Senedd Labour Group also said that the member had been suspended from the group while an investigation takes place.

Blaenau Gwent Labour Senedd member Alun Davies said: “I am very sorry if my actions have given the impression that I am in any way not committed to upholding the regulations which I have consistently supported throughout the last year.

“For context, the purpose of this meeting from my perspective was to seek to persuade the Welsh Conservatives to support my proposal for a ‘Welsh Hearts Bill’. This is part of my work across political parties on this issue.

“The Senedd Commission has already confirmed to me that I did not breach the Coronavirus regulations on the consumption of either food or alcohol that were in force at that time. I have also confirmed to the Commission that the regulations on the number of people present and on social distancing were not breached either. I look forward to the Commission’s final conclusions on this matter.”

The Senedd Commission said: “We are aware of an incident on the Senedd estate last month which may have been contrary to public health regulations in force at the time.

“The Senedd Commission takes the public health regulations in Wales very seriously and is currently investigating the matter in order to establish an accurate account of what took place and to determine whether action may be required.”

It is believed that the incident took place following a plenary meeting on December 8.