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Vile threats to First Minister investigated by South Wales Police

27 Sep 2023 3 minute read
Photo: Dominic Lipinski / PA Media

Emily Price

Evidence of vile abuse and threats to harm the First Minster have been turned over to the Welsh Government following an investigation by Nation.Cymru.

After the introduction of the new 20mph default speed limit which came into force in Wales on September 17, Nation.Cymru began monitoring a number of social media groups campaigning against the new road regulation.

One groups contained a thread where a member had posted details of a location, time and date they claimed Mark Drakeford would be attending a private event.

Group members commenting on the post began planning to ambush the First Minister with some suggesting they bring along eggs, whilst another said they would bring a bag of bricks because it “works quicker”. 

Evidence

Nation Cymru reviewed thousands of posts some of which included images of Mark Drakeford and the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters defaced with Nazi symbols.

The group had also shared video footage of protestors shouting and blocking in the First Minister’s car as it left his home.

In the footage people can be seen jeering at the entourage as police attempt to clear the way. One protester bangs down on the roof of Mark Drakeford’s car whilst another throws eggs.

Images of vandalised 20mph signs are also featured in the social media group whilst some members provide updates on the locations of speed cameras.

Target

Nation.Cymru has handed over the full uncensored versions of the screen grabs to the Welsh Government and has notified journalists who were also being targeted for abuse and threats by members of the social media group.

During FMQ’s on Tuesday (September 26) Mark Drakeford confirmed he had received “vile messages” and direct threats to “physical safety” in the wake of the 20mph roll out.

In response to the leader of the opposition during FMQs on Tuesday (September 26), the First Minister said: “I think it is very important to take seriously the views that people express within our democratic process using the petitions system that we have here.

“I also think that that cuts both ways, and that those people who support the policy and those people who have brought forward the policy are entitled to be treated with respect as well.

“I’m quite happy to send the Member some of the vile messages that I’ve received from people who are opposed to this policy, and for him to say to them, as I agree with him about people who have a different view to mine.

“I don’t wish to disparage them. I think it would be good to hear from him that those people who are prepared to say things that are not simply disparaging but are directly threatening of people’s physical safety—that those things are absolutely unacceptable as well.

The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies said there was “no space in our society for that whatsoever”.

South Wales Police confirmed on Wednesday (September 27) an investigation had been launched following the reports of “malicious communications” toward the First Minister.

Opposition to the 20mph default speed has grown since it came into force just over a week ago and a petition calling for the new limit to be scrapped has now reached over 430,000 signatures.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Welsh Conservatives have tabled a debate calling for a vote of no confidence in Lee Waters.


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Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
1 year ago

‘No space in our society for that whatsoever’ says the man who created the space with his persistent use of the word ‘blanket’.

Ieuan Evans
Ieuan Evans
1 year ago
Reply to  Fi yn unig

His constant Reference to the word ‘blanket’ was a total misuse of his power as AS.

Steve A Duggan
Steve A Duggan
1 year ago
Reply to  Fi yn unig

This is why lying rhetoric needs regulating. We’ve been hit by a failing economy exacerbated by Brexit and now threats to politicians. Our society should not let this lying continue, if (no when..) we gain independence we will have the opportunity to rectify the problem.

Jeff
Jeff
1 year ago

Captain “Small Boats” says tub thumping is not in his nature.
Yeah right.

Captain Cat
Captain Cat
1 year ago

“The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to kept that right”

— Thomas Jefferson

but of course, the AM’s and the readership here are of far greater minds than Thomas Jefferson !

Paddy
Paddy
1 year ago
Reply to  Captain Cat

They’ve been called MSs for a few years now.

The test of public opinion is an election. Labour won on a manifesto with the speed limit change.

Interestingly that quote was in relation to the people being informed by newspapers. The shouts of surprise show how poorly the Welsh electorate are served.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
1 year ago

Politicians deserve criticism not death threats. This has gone beyond politics where the likes of Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies whips up hostility using falsehoods and disinformation like a poor man’s Donald Trump on social media resulting in those idiots who damage 20mph signs costing councils hundreds of pounds to replace , but more importantly, they are putting lives at risk. I can remember when former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood was threatened online by an moron who said he hoped she would be gang raped by immigrants for her political views. Thankfully the lowlife was caught and convicted,… Read more »

Captain Cat
Captain Cat
1 year ago

“To lodge all power in one party and keep it there is to insure bad government and the sure and gradual deterioration of the public morals.”

~ Mark Twain

Padi Phillips
Padi Phillips
1 year ago
Reply to  Captain Cat

Please go and troll somewhere else. Power isn’t lodged in one party, Wales isn’t the DPRK and though we have a Welsh Labour government, it was as democratically elected as it could be, and no blame can be attached to Welsh Labour if those who signed the petition against the introduction of a 20mph default speed limit for built up areas didn’t a) read Welsh Labour’s 2021 Election Manifesto and b) didn’t vote in that election because they were part of the 53.4% who couldn’t be bothered to go and vote.

Silenced!
Silenced!
1 year ago
Reply to  Captain Cat

Why should we care what some drunkard yank author writes?

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