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A Plaid Cymru councillor has been suspended from the party after posting a picture of himself posing with a rifle on a beach saying the weapon was to stop “English people trying to cross the channel”.
In a post to his personal Facebook page, Caerphilly County Borough councillor Jon Scriven, who represents the Penyrheol ward, wrote: “Ogmore-by-Sea tonight for a quick swim and make sure there wasn’t any English people trying to cross the channel.”
A screenshot of this post was tweeted out by Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member Hefin David, with the caption: “Not appropriate surely?”
The responses to the Labour MS’s tweet were divided, with some branding Cllr Scriven’s comment as “xenophobia” and others arguing that it’s a joke.
The Penyrheol councillor has since apologised for the post, but Plaid Cymru has confirmed he has been suspended from the party pending an investigation.
In a statement he said: “I would like to apologise for any offence caused by my now deleted Facebook post. It was ill-judged and I have apologised to the group leader Lindsay Whittle who has accepted my apology.”
Leader of the council’s Plaid Cymru group, Cllr Lindsay Whittle, had reacted with a love heart to his fellow party member’s social media post – which was originally published on August 8.
Following Cllr Scriven’s post being taken down, Cllr Whittle said: “Jon Scriven has apologised to me as leader of the Plaid Cymru group for the remark on Facebook, and I have accepted that.”
South Wales Police confirmed it was aware of Cllr Scriven’s post. Superintendent Michelle Conquer said: “An allegation of malicious communications has been reported to us and we are investigating the matter.”
“Case for the Ombudsman”
Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr Sean Morgan, has described Cllr Scriven’s Facebook post as “irresponsible” and one that has many connotations.
The Labour councillor for Nelson said: “I feel, as leader of the council, that clearly this is xenophobic and falls well below the standards expected of a councillor.
“What’s even more concerning is that Lindsay Whittle put a heart next to the post, meaning he likes it. This is clearly a case for the Ombudsman.”
The Ombudsman is an independent body that is able to investigate members’ conduct.
Hefin David MS, who has previously been reprimanded for his social media use, said: “At a time when our society is facing huge challenges, it’s incredibly concerning to see this from a Caerphilly Plaid councillor. We should be seeking to unite people and address real concerns like the cost of living, not post disturbing images that are calculated to divide us.”
Caerphilly’s Labour MP, Wayne David, critcised Cllr Scriven’s post and tweeted: “This is truly the unacceptable face of Welsh nationalism.”
Meanwhile, Conservative MS for South East Wales, Natasha Asghar, has written to the leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Sean Morgan, and the leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price, calling for urgent action.
Ms Asghar said: “Not only is this post xenophobic, but the implication of violence is completely repugnant and warrants a full and proper investigation.
“Understandably many people have taken offence to the post and while I am pleased to hear it has been deleted, the fact it was posted in the first place is deeply troubling.
“It is imperative that both Caerphilly Council and Plaid Cymru look into this serious matter without dither and delay.”
On Twitter, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said he was “speechless”.
He added: “Adam Price cannot let another scandal rage on without decisive action. This sort of xenophobic attitude is beneath us.”
A Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: “Councillor Scriven’s now deleted post was inappropriate and goes against Plaid Cymru’s views and values. He was right to apologise for any offence caused.
“All Plaid Cymru elected representatives have a duty to uphold the highest standards. Councillor Scriven has been suspended pending an investigation.”
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