olice are investigating a Welsh councillor over a social media publish which appeared to indicate him holding a gun whereas commenting that he was ensuring “there wasn’t any English folks making an attempt to cross the channel”.
Jon Scriven, a Plaid Cymru consultant on Caerphilly Council, later deleted the publish and has now apologised.
He has been suspended from the occasion whereas an investigation is carried out, Plaid has confirmed.
South Wales Police mentioned it was “conscious of a publish on social media that includes a person brandishing what appears to be like like a rifle at Ogmore-by-Sea”.
Superintendent Michelle Conquer mentioned: “An allegation of malicious communications has been reported to us and we’re investigating the matter.”
The publish, which was uploaded by the Penyrheol councillor on August 8, mentioned: “Ogmore-by-Sea tonight for a fast swim and ensure there wasn’t any English folks making an attempt to cross the channel.”
It has been accused of being “xenophobic” in the direction of English folks.
Welsh Tory chief Andrew RT Davies tweeted on Monday that he was “speechless”.
“This form of xenophobic perspective is beneath us,” he mentioned.
He referred to as on Plaid chief Adam Worth to not “let one other scandal rage on with out decisive motion”.
It’s doable Mr Davies was referring to the saga involving MP Jonathan Edwards who was suspended then readmitted into the Westminster occasion after receiving a police warning for assaulting his spouse.
Welsh Liberal Democrats chief Jane Dodds MP mentioned in a press release: “There’s a clear implication of violence and xenophobia on this publish.
“Whether or not or not it was supposed as a joke or not, it’s solely inappropriate for an elected official to make such feedback, when they need to know higher.
“With a lot hate in politics the previous couple of years we ought to be making an attempt to construct bridges, not stoke division additional.”
Caerphilly Senedd member Labour’s Hefin David tweeted: “Our society is dealing with large challenges.
“We ought to be searching for to unite and handle actual issues such because the cost-of-living disaster.
“Wrapping your self in a flag and hating outsiders received’t assist a single individual in want.”
A day after the publish was circulated on social media, Mr Scriven wrote on Fb: “I wish to apologise for any offence brought on by my now deleted Fb publish.
“It was ill-judged and I’ve apologised to the group chief Lindsay Whittle who has accepted my apology.”
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson mentioned: “Councillor Scriven’s now deleted publish was inappropriate and goes towards Plaid Cymru’s views and values.
“He was proper to apologise for any offence prompted.
“All Plaid Cymru elected representatives have an obligation to uphold the best requirements. Councillor Scriven has been suspended pending an investigation.”
Caerphilly County Borough Council has been contacted for remark.
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