Davies told ‘don’t go to group talks’

WELSH Conservative Assembly leader Paul Davies has been advised not to attend his own party group meetings at the Senedd following legal action brought against him by Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay.

Later this month a lawyer acting for Mr Ramsay will argue in the High Court that all disciplinary action against his client arising from an incident at his home on New Year’s Day when he was arrested should be stopped.

The arrest did not result in the AM being charged with any offence and he was released without charge.

In the aftermath of the arrest, Mr Davies, pictured, suspended Mr Ramsay from the Tory group at the Senedd.

Last Friday Mr Ramsay was granted a temporary injunction against Mr Davies, the legal effect of which was that his suspension was lifted until a full hearing in court later in February that is expected to last up to three days.

Yesterday Mr Davies was not at his group’s regular Tuesday meeting and sources said he had been advised not to attend group meetings until the legal case brought by Mr Ramsay has been resolved.

It is understood that the Conservative Party has agreed to underwrite Mr Davies’ legal costs in the case.

A source said: “Because Nick Ramsay brought a case against Paul Davies personally, Paul was in line to pay the costs out of his own pocket. But that has now been sorted out. A three-day hearing in the High Court would be very expensive.”

Mr Ramsay’s wife, Jennifer, works for Mr Davies.

Mr Ramsay has refused to comment on the circumstances of his arrest, saying it was a private matter. He has represented Monmouth in the Senedd since 2007, and last year was re-selected to stand as the constituency’s Conservative candidate in next year’s Senedd election.