THE MS for Vale of Clwyd, Gareth Davies, said he apologised to the chair of a plenary meeting in which he said “too many” Gypsy and Traveller sites in North Wales for any offence caused.

Mr Davies, speaking in the Senedd on Wednesday (March 1), accused Welsh Government of having a “woke agenda” and said regarding these communities: “The simple message is that we don’t want them.”

He criticised Welsh Government’s expectation for all local authorities in the county to ensure enough pitches are provided to satisfy the communities’ needs.

Jane Hutt, Labour minister for social justice, asked Mr Davies to “rethink” his comments.

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Vale of Clwyd MS leaves minister ‘shocked’ by Gypsy and Traveller comments

Mr Davies said: “Where the member for Cardiff Central and the Government thinks we have a shortage in Gypsy and Traveller sites, I think we have too many, especially in the North Wales area, in particular.

“In Denbighshire, they tried this approach back in 2018, and wanted a site on Green Gates Farm in St Asaph, and then in Rhuallt, but it was rejected time and time again through planning, and quite rightly so.

“The simple message is that we don’t want them. When is Welsh Government going to wise up, get real, and act in the best interests of people who pay their council taxes and charges?

“Conwy, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Wrexham all have sites, so why can’t we adopt a more regional approach, and say North Wales has enough already?”

Mr Davies has since said it was not his intention to cause offence with his comments, and invited Mrs Hutt to discuss the matter privately with him.

“I was on the (Denbighshire) county council at the time that the proposed Gypsy and Traveller site (at Green Gates Farm) was going through planning, and saw first-hand the public reaction.

“I've also apologised to the Llywydd if my comments caused any offence and/or discomfort to anyone - it was certainly not the intention.

“The Llywydd accepted my apology for any offence caused and I see that as the end of the matter.

“Mrs Hutt would be more than welcome to meet with me anytime in private to discuss the issue in more detail so she can familiarise herself with the local aspects of previous plans and the concerns from local residents in Denbighshire.”

Mrs Hutt said during the plenary meeting that she was “shocked” by Mr Davies’ comments.

TGP Cymru’s Travelling Ahead branch, which provides a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller advice and advocacy service in Wales, also condemned Mr Davies’ comments.

The branch accused him of showing a “shameful lack of knowledge”.