(Title Image: Conservative Party in Wales)
Paul Davies MS (Con, Preseli Pembs.) resigned as leader of the Conservatives in Wales on Saturday (23rd January 2021) as recriminations from a pre-Christmas “piss-up” continue.
The former Leader of the Opposition had received a “vote of confidence” from the Conservative group late last week, as the Senedd Commission launches an investigation into the circumstances surrounding after-hours drinking on the Senedd estate. This took place after a ban on alcohol sales to the general public after 6 pm under coronavirus restrictions came into force.
He denied there had been “drunk and disorderly behaviour” by anyone who attended. It was also seemingly confirmed that a second drinking session took place on the 9th December.
In his resignation statement, he said: “I am truly sorry for my actions on the 8th and 9th December. They have damaged the trust and respect that I have built up over 14 years in the Welsh Parliament with my colleagues and the wider Conservative Party but more importantly with the people of Wales.”
Former leader, Andrew RT Davies MS (Con, South Wales Central) – who stood down following comments about possible Brexit-related job losses at Airbus in 2018 – was reappointed party group leader unopposed on Sunday (24th January).
Darren Millar MS (Con, Clwyd West) apologised and stood down from his frontbench position as Shadow External Affairs Minister. Alun Davies MS (Lab, Blaenau Gwent) was suspended from the Welsh Labour group.
There has been no further update from the Senedd Commission, but it’s likely the incident will be referred to the Standards Commissioner. Any investigation could lapse into next term if the Senedd is dissolved on schedule in March before this year’s election.
