This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/mid/8502726.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 6 | Version 7 |
---|---|
Party investigates AM's night out | Party investigates AM's night out |
(39 minutes later) | |
Liberal Democrats are investigating allegations about the behaviour of a senior member of the Welsh assembly in hospital after a night out in Cardiff. | Liberal Democrats are investigating allegations about the behaviour of a senior member of the Welsh assembly in hospital after a night out in Cardiff. |
Welsh party leader Kirsty Williams is trying to establish the facts after a newspaper claim that Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates verbally abused NHS staff. | |
She said she understood he was knocked unconscious and had a serious head injury which still caused him problems. | She said she understood he was knocked unconscious and had a serious head injury which still caused him problems. |
Mr Bates said he could not remember what had happened. | |
Wales on Sunday said the 62-year-old AM was admitted to the University Hospital of Wales, Heath, early on 20 January. | |
A spokesman for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said he could not confirm whether an investigation was launched. | |
"We would not comment on an individual patient," he said. | |
We don't know the facts - we need to get to the bottom of this Kirsty Williams, leader, Welsh Liberal Democrats | We don't know the facts - we need to get to the bottom of this Kirsty Williams, leader, Welsh Liberal Democrats |
"But if there were complaints or allegations they would be fully investigated." | |
The claims emerged as the party held its Welsh spring conference in Swansea, and it said it took the allegations "very seriously". | |
Mr Bates was due to speak at a fringe meeting at the conference, but he was replaced by Lembit Opik, the MP for his constituency. | |
Ms Williams told the BBC Wales Politics Show she took the allegations "very seriously," and she would contact the NHS trust involved. | Ms Williams told the BBC Wales Politics Show she took the allegations "very seriously," and she would contact the NHS trust involved. |
"We need to establish the facts," she said. | "We need to establish the facts," she said. |
"I've spoken to Mick Bates - he's apologised if his behaviour following the incident has caused any concerns." | "I've spoken to Mick Bates - he's apologised if his behaviour following the incident has caused any concerns." |
When asked about whether he still had her confidence, she replied: "Yes he does. | When asked about whether he still had her confidence, she replied: "Yes he does. |
"We don't know the facts - we need to get to the bottom of this. My understanding is that Mick was knocked unconscious and suffered a severe head injury - which he's continuing to have problems with." | "We don't know the facts - we need to get to the bottom of this. My understanding is that Mick was knocked unconscious and suffered a severe head injury - which he's continuing to have problems with." |
She added: "Abuse towards NHS staff is not acceptable so we need to talk to the trust to establish the facts". | She added: "Abuse towards NHS staff is not acceptable so we need to talk to the trust to establish the facts". |
Former teacher | Former teacher |
Mr Bates told BBC Wales that he could not remember what had happened on the night. | |
Earlier, a spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: "We take these allegations very seriously and we would not condone this sort of alleged behaviour. | Earlier, a spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats said: "We take these allegations very seriously and we would not condone this sort of alleged behaviour. |
"We have already begun an investigation to establish the facts and we will return with a further statement once our investigations are concluded." | "We have already begun an investigation to establish the facts and we will return with a further statement once our investigations are concluded." |
Mr Bates, who has represented Montgomeryshire since the assembly was founded in 1999, has been chairman of its sustainability committee since 2007. | Mr Bates, who has represented Montgomeryshire since the assembly was founded in 1999, has been chairman of its sustainability committee since 2007. |
A former teacher who became a farmer, he said last year that his wife, a headmistress, was retiring in 2011, and that it was an "ideal time" for him to stand down. | A former teacher who became a farmer, he said last year that his wife, a headmistress, was retiring in 2011, and that it was an "ideal time" for him to stand down. |
Mr Bates is also a former county chairman of the National Farmers' Union, and became a local councillor in 1994. | Mr Bates is also a former county chairman of the National Farmers' Union, and became a local councillor in 1994. |
He held his assembly seat at the 2007 election with a majority of just over 2,000 ahead of the Conservatives. | He held his assembly seat at the 2007 election with a majority of just over 2,000 ahead of the Conservatives. |