This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-55720106
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Covid: Politicians drank at Senedd despite alcohol ban | Covid: Politicians drank at Senedd despite alcohol ban |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Labour's Alun Davies with Conservatives Paul Davies, Darren Millar and Nick Ramsay | Labour's Alun Davies with Conservatives Paul Davies, Darren Millar and Nick Ramsay |
| A group of politicians drank alcohol on Welsh Parliament premises, days after a ban on serving it in pubs took effect. | A group of politicians drank alcohol on Welsh Parliament premises, days after a ban on serving it in pubs took effect. |
| Conservative Senedd leader Paul Davies, Darren Millar and Nick Ramsay were seen drinking together in early December. | Conservative Senedd leader Paul Davies, Darren Millar and Nick Ramsay were seen drinking together in early December. |
| Senedd authorities said they were investigating an "incident" which "may have been contrary to public health regulations". | Senedd authorities said they were investigating an "incident" which "may have been contrary to public health regulations". |
| Labour Member of the Senedd Alun Davies was involved. He and two Tories deny breaking rules. | |
| "A member has been suspended from the privileges of Senedd Labour Group membership while an investigation takes place into this alleged incident," a spokesman for the group said. | "A member has been suspended from the privileges of Senedd Labour Group membership while an investigation takes place into this alleged incident," a spokesman for the group said. |
| A ban on the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises came into force in Wales at 18:00 GMT on 4 December, although hospitality businesses can sell alcohol to take away after 18:00. | A ban on the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises came into force in Wales at 18:00 GMT on 4 December, although hospitality businesses can sell alcohol to take away after 18:00. |
| On 8 December, a group of Members of the Senedd and staff drank alcohol in the Ty Hywel building in Cardiff Bay that houses the Senedd's offices. | On 8 December, a group of Members of the Senedd and staff drank alcohol in the Ty Hywel building in Cardiff Bay that houses the Senedd's offices. |
| Catering company, Charlton House, has the licence for serving alcohol on Senedd premises. | Catering company, Charlton House, has the licence for serving alcohol on Senedd premises. |
| The Welsh Government confirmed the alcohol ban applies to the person running the licensed premises, rather than customers. | The Welsh Government confirmed the alcohol ban applies to the person running the licensed premises, rather than customers. |
| A ban on serving drinks in pubs and bars came in four days before the meeting | A ban on serving drinks in pubs and bars came in four days before the meeting |
| Charlton House said it was "aware of an alleged breach of public health regulations at the Senedd estate" and took its "responsibilities and obligations to restrictions and public health regulations across the UK very seriously". | Charlton House said it was "aware of an alleged breach of public health regulations at the Senedd estate" and took its "responsibilities and obligations to restrictions and public health regulations across the UK very seriously". |
| "We are currently undertaking a full investigation into this matter," the firm added. | "We are currently undertaking a full investigation into this matter," the firm added. |
| Plaid Cymru Senedd member Helen Mary Jones said Labour had "taken the right step in terms of suspending their member while they investigate, and I think the Conservatives have got to do the same thing". | Plaid Cymru Senedd member Helen Mary Jones said Labour had "taken the right step in terms of suspending their member while they investigate, and I think the Conservatives have got to do the same thing". |
| "We've been passing legislation in the Senedd this last nine months, expecting really difficult things from our constituents, in terms of restricting their social contact, things that make people very unhappy because we have to," she said. | "We've been passing legislation in the Senedd this last nine months, expecting really difficult things from our constituents, in terms of restricting their social contact, things that make people very unhappy because we have to," she said. |
| "Whether or not the letter of the regulations has been broken, in my view the spirit clearly has." | |
| What do the politicians involved say? | What do the politicians involved say? |
| Senedd authorities say they are seeking to "establish an accurate account of what took place" | Senedd authorities say they are seeking to "establish an accurate account of what took place" |
| A statement on behalf of Paul Davies, Darren Millar and Welsh Conservative chief of staff Paul Smith, who was also at the meeting, said they were "profoundly sorry". | A statement on behalf of Paul Davies, Darren Millar and Welsh Conservative chief of staff Paul Smith, who was also at the meeting, said they were "profoundly sorry". |
| "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," the statement said. | "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," the statement said. |
| In his statement, Labour's 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." | In his statement, Labour's 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." |
| He said the purpose of the meeting "was to seek to persuade the Welsh Conservatives to support my proposal for a Welsh Hearts Bill, which the Senedd endorsed on 21 October, and to make a commitment to enact this life-saving legislation in their manifesto for May's election". | He said the purpose of the meeting "was to seek to persuade the Welsh Conservatives to support my proposal for a Welsh Hearts Bill, which the Senedd endorsed on 21 October, and to make a commitment to enact this life-saving legislation in their manifesto for May's election". |
| Alun Davies added: "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." | Alun Davies added: "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." |
| Nick Ramsay has been asked to comment. | Nick Ramsay has been asked to comment. |
| A spokesman for 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. | A spokesman for 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." | "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." |