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| Sexism row over Gareth Bennett AM's 'buxom barmaids' video | Sexism row over Gareth Bennett AM's 'buxom barmaids' video |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A row has broken out after a video featuring a barmaid wearing a low-cut top with an AM's head superimposed on it was deemed to not be sexist. | A row has broken out after a video featuring a barmaid wearing a low-cut top with an AM's head superimposed on it was deemed to not be sexist. |
| The video about Labour's Joyce Watson was posted on YouTube by UKIP assembly group leader Gareth Bennett. | The video about Labour's Joyce Watson was posted on YouTube by UKIP assembly group leader Gareth Bennett. |
| He referred to the fact Ms Watson used to run a pub, and made derogatory comments about her appearance. | He referred to the fact Ms Watson used to run a pub, and made derogatory comments about her appearance. |
| She complained to the assembly's standards commissioner who decided it was not sexist or misogynistic. | She complained to the assembly's standards commissioner who decided it was not sexist or misogynistic. |
| There have now been calls for Sir Roderick Evans, who took up the role in 2016, to reconsider his decision. | There have now been calls for Sir Roderick Evans, who took up the role in 2016, to reconsider his decision. |
| In the video, which has since been taken down, Mr Bennett, who represents South Wales Central, said Ms Watson used to run a pub but "you wouldn't guess that from looking at her". | |
| He added: "She doesn't look like the life and soul of the party. I'm not sure I would fancy popping in for a quick one at the local if I saw her pulling pints at the bar." | He added: "She doesn't look like the life and soul of the party. I'm not sure I would fancy popping in for a quick one at the local if I saw her pulling pints at the bar." |
| Following the commissioner's decision, Ms Watson, the AM for Mid and West Wales, wrote to him saying: "You do not find it to be 'sexist or misogynistic'. | Following the commissioner's decision, Ms Watson, the AM for Mid and West Wales, wrote to him saying: "You do not find it to be 'sexist or misogynistic'. |
| "I appreciate that you are not the 'arbiter of the level of political debate'. | "I appreciate that you are not the 'arbiter of the level of political debate'. |
| "However, I maintain that the video falls outside the parameters of robust debate - and that the allusion to 'buxom barmaids' is inherently sexist. | "However, I maintain that the video falls outside the parameters of robust debate - and that the allusion to 'buxom barmaids' is inherently sexist. |
| "Subjective as these things are, though, I believe it would have been appropriate to refer my case to the Assembly's Standards Committee, for wider consideration, especially in light of the new Dignity and Respect policy." | "Subjective as these things are, though, I believe it would have been appropriate to refer my case to the Assembly's Standards Committee, for wider consideration, especially in light of the new Dignity and Respect policy." |
| AMs from the three main parties have told the BBC's Wales Live programme they think the video is sexist. | AMs from the three main parties have told the BBC's Wales Live programme they think the video is sexist. |
| Plaid Cymru's Bethan Sayed, AM for South Wales West, said: "I think with all due respect the standards commissioner himself probably hasn't experienced sexism or misogyny in his lifetime and I think if you're a woman and you've been treated in that way then I think they would rightly say 'that's sexist'. | Plaid Cymru's Bethan Sayed, AM for South Wales West, said: "I think with all due respect the standards commissioner himself probably hasn't experienced sexism or misogyny in his lifetime and I think if you're a woman and you've been treated in that way then I think they would rightly say 'that's sexist'. |
| "I don't think that has a place in Welsh politics at all and that decision should really be reconsidered." | "I don't think that has a place in Welsh politics at all and that decision should really be reconsidered." |
| Gwendolyn Sterk, from Welsh Women's Aid, also wants the commissioner to explain how he reached the decision which she said sends the wrong signal. | Gwendolyn Sterk, from Welsh Women's Aid, also wants the commissioner to explain how he reached the decision which she said sends the wrong signal. |
| "It will definitely impact on the confidence women have [in the system]," she said. | "It will definitely impact on the confidence women have [in the system]," she said. |
| "We know young women are put off going into politics purely because of the online abuse they experience and we know that's a significant reality for women." | "We know young women are put off going into politics purely because of the online abuse they experience and we know that's a significant reality for women." |
| A spokesman for the standards commissioner said: "The commissioner does not comment on individual cases and has no further comment to make at this time." | A spokesman for the standards commissioner said: "The commissioner does not comment on individual cases and has no further comment to make at this time." |
| Watch Wales Live at 22:35 BST on Wednesday on BBC One Wales | Watch Wales Live at 22:35 BST on Wednesday on BBC One Wales |