Standards Committee
Complaint against Neil McEvoy MS (Ind, South Wales Central)
Complaint made by Mick Antoniw MS (Lab, Pontypridd)
Published: 2nd December 2020 (pdf)
What started as a few petty throwaway comments in May 2019 quickly escalated into a near punch-up in the Senedd.
When Neil McEvoy described the Future Generations Commissioner as a “corrupt Labour placeman (sic – the Commissioner is a woman)”, Mick Antoniw called Neil McEvoy a “convicted bully”.
This is probably referencing complaints about threatening and intimidating behaviour on McEvoy’s part – in his second job as a Cardiff councillor – that have been upheld by the Public Services Ombudsman.
About a week later on 21st May, in the area outside the chamber (known as the Cwrt) McEvoy confronted Antoniw.
There were six anonymous eyewitness accounts from inside and outside the chamber itself, all of whom are described as Senedd employees in one way or another and all of whom said similar things:
- McEvoy squared up to Antoniw, following very closely behind whilst shouting and pointing in his face, including “What are you going to do about it?” – which some witnesses described as similar to the start of a pub brawl.
- Despite Mick Antoniw’s request for McEvoy to go away and warnings that he would be reported to standards, McEvoy continued to goad and name-call Antoniw as they made their way into the chamber, calling Antoniw “spineless”, “sick”, a “Red Tory” as well as, ironically, someone who bullies people when they’re by themselves. Mick Antoniw claims McEvoy also said “I will get you” – which was particularly threatening.
- In the chamber itself, McEvoy went over to where Mick Antoniw was sitting (it’s contested how many times) and continue to rant angrily, making Antoniw visibly uncomfortable. One witness considered summoning security into the chamber, while at least one witness believes McEvoy may have made (but not necessarily did make) physical contact with a finger jab.
There’s no suggestion that McEvoy demanded Mick’s dinner money or called him out to behind the bike sheds after plenary.
McEvoy accepts he acted aggressively towards Mick Antoniw and regretted his behaviour, but argued that Mick Antoniw had publicly defamed him by calling him a convicted bully in the chamber.
As well as questioning the suitability of Helen Mary Jones MS (Plaid, Mid & West Wales) to sit on the committee (as he believed she couldn’t be impartial), he wanted to know who the anonymous witnesses were (as said, they’re Senedd employees one way or another) and also claims he wasn’t allowed to challenge the factual accuracy of the report or use CCTV footage in his defence – when the published chain of correspondence proves he was asked several times to point out any inaccuracies in the report. The Commissioner and Committee agreed that the balance of evidence was enough that the CCTV footage (from the Cwrt) wouldn’t make an impact on the ruling (Neil McEvoy has since released stylised footage on social media without audio and it does seem to corroborate most of what was said by witnesses).
Additionally, McEvoy claims he wasn’t allowed to call witnesses on his behalf when the Standards Commissioner seemingly gave him opportunities to do so; to which McEvoy replied on at least one occasion: “….you now have the facts that you are mandated to investigate…I see no point in wasting more of my time on this.”
The Committee concluded there had been a breach of the Members Code of Conduct concerning acting with integrity and leadership. The Committee went on to say that McEvoy’s behaviour demonstrated contempt for fellow members and Senedd staff and breached the Dignity at Work policy.
McEvoy appealed the original report – which is why this has taken so long to conclude – but that appeal was rejected recently.
The Committee recommended that McEvoy should be suspended from the Senedd estate for 21 calendar days (without pay) – which would be the longest suspension handed down since a new sanction system was introduced – though this will require a vote (due to take place next week).
McEvoy currently isn’t being called to speak in the chamber for refusing to apologise for a backfired stunt a few months ago, in which he accused the Llywydd and Senedd authorities of racism.
