Police have confirmed they are investigating a report of malicious communications after a Plaid Cymru councillor's Facebook post appeared to show him posing with a rifle. The now-deleted picture appeared on Councillor Jon Scriven’s Facebook page on August 8 captioned that he was making sure “there wasn’t any English people trying to cross the channel”.
The post by the councillor who represents Penyrheol in Caerphilly read: “Ogmore-by-Sea tonight for a quick swim and make sure there wasn’t any English people trying to cross the channel” resurfaced online on August 22. Plaid Cymru have confirmed that he has now been suspended pending investigation and that the post was "inappropriate".
Alongside this, South Wales Police have also confirmed they are aware of the post and an allegation of malicious communications has been reported to them. The force confirmed that are investigating the matter.
Read more: ' I learnt Welsh but I still feel like an outsider in my own community'
A spokesperson for Plaid Cymru said that the post went against the party's "views and values" and that while he was right to apologise for offence caused, he has been suspended pending investigation.
The deleted post was made public by Caerphilly's Labour Senedd Member, Hefin David, on August 22 after he shared a screenshot on his Twitter account, stating that it was "not appropriate". His tweet has now been liked hundreds of times. You can get more politics news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Mr Scriven apologised for the post, writing on his Facebook page which can be publicly viewed: "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."
The post has been attacked by other politicians, with Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies responding to say that he was “speechless”. In a Tweet he said: “This is a Plaid Cymru councillor. [Plaid Cymru leader] Adam Price cannot let another scandal rage on without decisive action. This sort of xenophobic attitude is beneath us.”
Labour MS Hefin Davies who shared the initial post, also added: "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 posting disturbing images that are calculated to divide us."
Before the suspension was announced, The Welsh Liberal Democrats called on Plaid to suspend the councillor, with a spokesperson stating that there was “a clear implication of violence and xenophobia in this post”.
They said: “Whether or not it was intended as a joke or not, it is entirely inappropriate for an elected official to make such comments, when they should know better. With so much hate in politics the last few years we should be trying to build bridges, not stoke division further. Plaid Cymru must now do the right thing and suspend the councillor in question.”
Shadow Minister for Transport and Technology, Natasha Asghar MS said an investigation must be launched into the post. She 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.”
A spokesperson for Plaid Cymru has now confirmed that Mr Scriven has been suspended pending investigation as a result of the post. They 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.”
Replying to a tweet by Lord Davies of Gower asking whether would investigate the post, the force responded: "We are aware of this post and an allegation of malicious communications has been reported to us and we are investigating the matter. Diolch."
Read next:
- Universities 'need to make tuition fees closer to £22,000' for UK students, say bosses
- Criminal barristers vote to go on all-out strike in Wales and England
- Sewage has been released into the sea at Welsh beaches after the heatwave
- Plan outlined to take water from Welsh reservoir and send it to London to solve drought
- 'I will never vote for Plaid Cymru again' - voters speak out over party's handling of Jonathan Edwards MP's suspension
