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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Anthony Lewis

Labour councillor alleged by restaurant owner to have abused staff and failed to pay bill is investigated by his local party

A Labour councillor in Merthyr Tydfil is under investigation by his local party for an alleged incident at an Indian restaurant. The restaurant owner alleges that Councillor Gareth Lewis, who represents the Plymouth ward, including Troedyrhiw, Pentrebach and Abercanaid on Merthyr Tydfil Council, abused staff and failed to pay for his meal at the Taj restaurant in Pontmorlais in April and now an investigation by his local party is underway.

Nation Cymru reports that the restaurant’s owner Mr Miah wrote a formal complaint to the leader of the Merthyr Tydfil Labour Group, Darren Roberts, and that a staff member claimed Cllr Lewis came back to the premises the next day “to sort out the money."

Cllr Lewis told WalesOnline he did not wish to comment on the matter. You can get more Merthyr news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.

Read more: Merthyr council orders operators of Ffos-y-Fran coal mine to stop mining there

Councillor Darren Roberts, leader of the Merthyr Tydfil Labour group, confirmed that he and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council had been made aware of this alleged incident. He said that the party was currently investigating and until this was concluded both he and the council were unable to provide further comment.

A council spokesman said: “Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council can confirm we have been made aware of this alleged incident. There is currently an investigation on-going and until this is concluded, the council is not able to provide any further comment.”

A South Wales Police spokesperson said: "South Wales Police are aware of a third party report of an incident occurring at Taj Restaurant, Merthyr Tydfil, on April 1. Enquiries are ongoing.”

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