Cabinet minister slams watchdog after 'Tory abuse'

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies says he does not have confidence in Wales' public services watchdog after an investigator allegedly made anti-Conservative remarks.

Sinead Cook allegedly made the offensive remarks on social media.

Mr Davies, Tory MP for Monmouth, has called for a new ombudsman and new watchdog body to be put in place.

The ombudsman's office investigates complaints made by the public about public bodies, and councillors who are accused of breaking their code of conduct.

Two of its guiding principles include impartiality and independence.

Mr Davies said: "I would prefer a new ombudsman to be put in place and a new body... I don't have confidence in them. It is deeply concerning."

He also repeated calls made by his Conservative colleagues in the Senedd for past cases to be re-examined.

"Every single case that has been put to the ombudsman since Ms Cook was investigating needs to be looked at by someone independent," he said.

The ombudsman, Michelle Morris, has been in post since 2022 and is a Crown appointment following a recommendation from the Senedd.

Mr Davies said the UK government would be prepared to work with the Welsh Parliament to dismiss office holders and start the process again.

"We need to find someone who has the confidence of all political parties in Wales," he said.

"We moved promptly to speak to that member of staff and suspend them," she said.

"This is way below the standard of conduct we expect from our officers."

Ms Morris said her office had 70 members of staff and the allegations involved one of them, but acknowledged she had work to do to ensure there was "faith" in the organisation's impartiality.

The ombudsman's office has been asked to respond again following Mr Davies's comments.