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A Tory politician today denied being part of a seven-hour boozing session at the Welsh Parliament just days after an alcohol ban in pubs.
A solicitor for Conservative Nick Ramsay declared his client ‘sat on his own’ and ‘had a chicken curry’ after four other politicians, including Tory party leader in Wales, Paul Davies, were probed for allegedly downing wine in their Parliamentary bar in Cardiff.
Mr Davies, along with his chief of staff Paul Smith and fellow Tory Darren Millar, met with Labour Senedd member Alun Davies on December 8 – four days after pubs, bars, and restaurants were banned from serving alcohol in Wales.
But Mr Ramsay’s solicitor said he was ‘not involved in any gathering’ in the Ty Hywel building.
Welsh Tory politician Nick Ramsay today denied being part of a seven-hour boozing session at the Welsh Parliament just days after an alcohol ban in pubs
He said: ‘Mr Ramsay did attend the Tea Room on his own at the Senedd, without invitation after work.
‘He sat on his own and was socially distanced. He attended the Tea Room at approximately 6pm. He had a chicken curry.
‘He left at about 8pm. Others came in whilst he was there but it was not a “gathering” Mr. Ramsay was part of.’
Labour member Mr Davies has been suspended by his party and an investigation has been launched.
The group were served drinks by caterers in the Ty Hywel building which adjoins the Senedd where strict lockdown laws were made.
Officials at the Senedd – Wales’ parliament – say they are investigating an ‘incident’ which ‘may have been contrary to public health regulations.’
Mr Ramsay declared that he ‘just had a curry on my own’ after four other politicians, including Tory party leader in Wales, Paul Davies, were probed for allegedly downing wine in their Parliamentary bar in the Ty Hywel building in Cardiff
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Conservatives Mr Davies, Mr Millar and Mr Smith have apologised but insisted they did not break the rules.
In a statement they said they were ‘profoundly sorry for our actions’.
They added: ‘While we did not break the rules, we recognise that what was part of a day’s work would not be seen to be following the spirit of them, especially given the tough time the country has been going through.’
Labour member Mr Davies said: ‘I am very sorry if my actions have given the impression that I am in any way not committed to upholding the regulations which I have consistently supported throughout the last year.
Conservative Darren Millar (pictured) met with Tory party leader in Wales Paul Davies and chief of staff Paul Smith met with Labour Senedd member Alun Davies on December 8
Conservatives Mr Davies (left), Mr Millar and Mr Smith have apologised but insisted they did not break the rules. Labour member Mr Davies (right) said: ‘I am very sorry if my actions have given the impression that I am in any way not committed to upholding the regulations which I have consistently supported throughout the last year
‘The Senedd Commission has already confirmed to me that I did not breach the coronavirus regulations on the consumption of either food or alcohol that were in force at that time.’
Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething refused to be drawn on whether the Tory members should stand down or be suspended.
But he said the Labour group’s decision to suspend Alun Davies ‘was the right thing’ to do.
He said: ‘Any sense of people not all being in this together, isn’t helpful in terms of message that we all need to follow.’
A spokesman for the Senedd Commission said: ‘We are aware of an incident on the Senedd estate last month which may have been contrary to public health regulations in force at the time.
‘The Senedd Commission takes the public health regulations in Wales very seriously and is currently investigating the matter in order to establish an accurate account of what took place and to determine whether action may be required.’
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