Worker to face charge over ‘Senedd drinks’?
THE woman who served Members of the Senedd with alcohol during the coronavirus hospitality booze ban has received a formal warning she may face prosecution.
The Senedd tea room staff member has been told she will be interviewed under a criminal caution after she served four MSS and an aide on December 8, four days after the ban on alcohol in hospitality venues was introduced on December 4.
At the time, the Senedd Commission held an investigation which concluded there had been a “possible breach of the regulations” and referred the matter to Cardiff council.
It also referred the matter to the Standards Commissioner to investigate whether the members, Welsh Tories Paul Davies, Nick Ramsay and Darren Millar and Labour MS Alun Davies, “acted in accordance with their duty in the code of conduct”.
As a result of the referral to Cardiff council, the woman who served the men has now received a letter from Shared Regulatory Services - which has been enforcing coronavirus breaches in Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend - requesting a formal interview under a criminal caution.
The letter says: “I wish to formally interview you in connection with these matters. After discussions with your solicitor I am happy to receive these via written response.
“I have attached a list of questions. I must advise you that any response to this letter may be subject to criminal proceedings therefore I must caution you.”
At the time the incident was made public, First
Minister Mark Drakeford said that he was “incredulous” that a bar worker could get the blame.
The coronavirus legislation at the time banned all hospitality venues from serving alcohol, putting the responsibility on the venue rather than anyone found drinking.
The politicians have refused to answer questions about the evening but said they are “profoundly sorry” for their actions. Then Conservative leader Paul Davies, Conservative chief whip Darran Miller and Labour MS Alun Davies drank together. Conservative Nick Ramsey is also thought to have had a drink although he has said he was not part of the gathering.
Labour MS, Alun Davies, was initially suspended from the Labour Party group although he was later reinstated. Conservative Paul Davies stood down as leader.
It is understood it is standard procedure for alleged breaches of licensing rules to be investigated by Shared Regulatory Services. The service is headed up by the Vale of Glamorgan Council but Cardiff Council will have the final say on prosecution as the incident took place in their council area.
Commenting on the incident Propel leader Neil Mcevoy MS said: “It really is outrageous that no police action is being taken against the politicians who actually drank the alcohol.
“These were four powerful lawmakers from the governing party and official opposition.
“They made the laws that banned serving of alcohol.
“But instead of interviewing them under caution it’s the person who works in the Tea Room who will undergo this police ordeal and possibly be prosecuted.
“This really is everything that is wrong with our Welsh Parliament at the moment. The powerful can do what they want and know they’ll get away with it. It’s those without power who have to pay the price for their actions. Are we really going to allow a tea room employee to be thrown under the bus for the actions of these politicians?
“The First Minister said that the bar worker should not carry the can, but this is what is happening. It is disgraceful.
“I am writing to the Chief Constable, the First Minister, the Presiding Officer and the Leader of Cardiff Council, to insist it is not in the public interest to prosecute a junior member of staff, for the actions of powerful politicians.”
Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Standards Commissioner have both been contacted for comment.