Ex deputy council leader insists he did not break any rules – so why did he resign?

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Questions still remain over the resignation of Cllr Sean Morgan from his role as deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council.

The Nelson ward member’s resignation was confirmed to councillors in an email from council leader Philippa Marsden on Wednesday, June 9. No reason was given.

Caerphilly Observer published the story the day after and asked the council several times for a reason. We also contacted Cllr Sean Morgan, who was also cabinet member for economy, enterprise and infrastructure, via email. Our requests were ignored.

We were then informed that Cllr Morgan had travelled to Spain – an amber list country under current coronavirus restrictions – and that was the reason he had resigned. We again asked the council for a reason, and again we did not receive a response.

Finally, and after the Plaid Cymru group went public with the allegations of travel to Spain, the council confirmed why Cllr Morgan had resigned – travel to an amber list country.

Cllr Morgan defends himself

Cllr Morgan has taken to Facebook to defend his actions and lambast those critical of his decision to travel.

In his post, dated Saturday, June 26, Cllr Morgan said: “It has recently become news that a few weeks ago I decided to travel to Spain, an amber list country, for my annual holiday. This move has gained significant interest and negative publicity and as a result I made the decision to step down from my role as deputy leader and cabinet member of Caerphilly County Borough Council.

“I was quite taken aback by the reaction and by some of the comments from my political rivals about my decision to take a holiday while fully vaccinated, within the guidelines, not breaking any rule, legislation or law.”

Those visiting amber list countries have to take a Covid-19 test before returning to the UK, and once back in the UK. People are also required to self-isolate for ten days.

Cllr Morgan said it was for the “voters of Nelson, to judge my actions, should I again put myself forward for election in 2022” and questioned why the “standard for a county councillor seemed to be set far higher than standards required of politicians of far, far, higher standing”.

He also highlighted some of the work he had done for the local community including renewal of the skate park, creating a one-way system at Bwl Road and the new visitor centre at Penallta Park.

He said: “My work as deputy leader and cabinet member is something that I have always enjoyed and always been passionate about.”

Caerphilly Observer tried calling Cllr Morgan today and left a voicemail asking for him to call us back. The ringtone on the call suggested Cllr Morgan’s phone was out of the country.

Plaid Cymru question statement

Cllr Colin Mann, leader of the Plaid Cymru group on Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “Cllr Sean Morgan is misleading the public.

“He says in his Facebook statement that his trip to Spain led to adverse publicity and so he decided to step down as deputy leader.

“The fact that he went to Spain only became public knowledge last week a full fortnight after he actually resigned as deputy leader. In fact, the council statement of June 10 made no reference to the fact he was holidaying in Spain and journalists had been trying to find out the reason for his departure.

“First minister Mark Drakeford also made it perfectly clear that people should not travel abroad at this time – Cllr Morgan took the decision to ignore that advice. Also, why did Cllr Morgan resign as deputy leader if he thought he’d done nothing wrong – or was he told by the Labour leadership to go?”

Labour’s response

Caerphilly Observer asked the Labour group for clarification over Cllr Morgan’s statement, pointing out the reason for the resignation was not known when it happened, and whether there was anything to Cllr Mann’s claims.

In a statement, the Labour group said: “Cllr Sean Morgan tendered his resignation and its established that he broke no laws. It was a decision that Sean took himself and there’s no validity in the claim or suggestion that the Labour group asked Sean to resign.”

Amber list countries

People travelling to the UK from an amber list country are required to isolate for up to ten days upon arrival.

When it comes to international travel to and from the UK, countries are ranked using a traffic light system. People returning from countries on the green list do not have to isolate upon return, as countries on the green list typically have lower rates of coronavirus and are deemed safer.

Countries on the red list are considered dangerous to travel to and from, due to the high virus rates in those countries.

Travel to countries on the amber list is advised against. People arriving in the UK from those countries are required to isolate for up to ten days.

Countries can change from one category to another based on infection rates.

People are able to travel freely between countries within the Common Travel Area, which includes Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

Additional material by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.