Image supply, Senedd Cymru
- Author, Paul Pigott
- Role, BBC News
A Welsh Conservative politician has been stripped of her spokesperson job after texts from her cellphone appeared to point out an worker was requested to maximise expenses claims.
Senedd Tory chief Andrew RT Davies mentioned he has requested Laura Anne Jones, who’s beneath investigation by police, to step again from his shadow cupboard.
The messages, reported by BBC Wales on Friday, appeared to point out a member of workers being requested: “When doing petrol thing – always make more than I did – add in stuff please ok”.
The context for the WhatsApp messages shouldn’t be evident. Ms Jones’ solicitor has beforehand mentioned she is “satisfied that any allegations in relation to impropriety surrounding expenses are entirely misconceived”.
The Member of the Senedd for South Wales East stays an element of the Conservative group within the Welsh Parliament.
Ms Jones has been requested for remark.
Labour’s Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens questioned why Ms Jones had not been suspended.
She mentioned: “These latest revelations about a Welsh Conservative politician are deeply alarming.”
“Andrew RT Davies must be clear about what he knew about this situation and when he knew it,” Ms Stevens added.
The Liberal Democrats have additionally referred to as for Ms Jones to be suspended.
Mr Davies mentioned: “I’ve requested Laura Anne Jones to step again from the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet whereas investigations happen.
“We is not going to be making any feedback on any lively investigations being carried out.”
BBC Wales can not confirm whether or not the messages characterize the entire conversations between the individuals concerned, nor their full context.
Ms Jones is presently being investigated by the Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain and South Wales Police.
It is known the investigation by Mr Bain is on maintain whereas the police inquiry is going down.
Police have spoken to a minimum of one member of Conservative workers. No arrests have been made.
The BBC has been advised the unique grievance to Mr Bain was in relation to Ms Jones’s dealing with of allegations of bullying by a senior member of workers.
A lawyer on behalf of Ms Jones beforehand mentioned in a press release: “Ms Jones didn’t obtain any formal bullying grievance in relation to any of her workers members.”
They added that she “is glad that any allegations in relation to impropriety surrounding expenses are fully misconceived”.
“Ms Jones’s perception is that these complaints being lodged with the requirements commissioner are with out basis.
“As these issues are the topic of ongoing inquiries, it could be inappropriate for Ms Jones to make any additional remark.
“Ms Jones has no challenge with the BBC or its sources placing these allegations to the police and/or the requirements commissioner, which can present her the chance to reply in a proper method as half of the inquiry ought to the authorities require it.”
