Latest news with #IndependentComplaintsBoard
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Labour councillor expelled ‘for sexually harassing girl'
A councillor has been thrown out of the Labour Party over allegations that he sexually harassed a teenager. Keith Jones, who sits on Cardiff council, was originally suspended in 2022 after a formal complaint was made to the party about his behaviour. It is understood he was alleged to have inappropriately touched a then 17-year-old party member at a social event in Liverpool in 2016. Mr Jones was expelled from the party on Monday following the conclusion of a three-year-investigation by the Labour Party's Independent Complaints Board. The board was reportedly satisfied that the conduct alleged did occur. A Labour spokesman said: 'Action will always be taken if party members or elected representatives are found to have breached the high standards the Labour Party expects of them. All complaints are investigated thoroughly, in line with our rules and procedures.' An official complaint was only made about the incident in May 2022, when Huw Thomas, the council leader, announced that Mr Jones would be appointed to his cabinet. As a result of the complaint, Mr Jones's party membership was administratively suspended and he was not appointed to the cabinet. No further details of the allegations have ever been released by the party. Following his expulsion, Mr Jones, who has sat on the council since 2012, will represent the Llanrumney ward as an independent councillor. He told the BBC: 'The Labour Party have instructed me that there will be legal consequences if I discuss anything to do with this matter with the media or anyone else.' He has been approached for further comment by The Telegraph. Mr Jones was previously suspended from the party a decade ago after inappropriately messaging female party members. He was sacked from a previous job as a teacher in 2010 for tampering with GCSE coursework. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Labour councillor expelled ‘for sexually harassing girl'
A councillor has been thrown out of the Labour Party over allegations that he sexually harassed a teenager. Keith Jones, who sits on Cardiff council, was originally suspended in 2022 after a formal complaint was made to the party about his behaviour. It is understood he was alleged to have inappropriately touched a then 17-year-old party member at a social event in Liverpool in 2016. Mr Jones was expelled from the party on Monday following the conclusion of a three-year-investigation by the Labour Party's Independent Complaints Board. The board was reportedly satisfied that the conduct alleged did occur. Allegation blocked council appointment A Labour spokesman said: 'Action will always be taken if party members or elected representatives are found to have breached the high standards the Labour Party expects of them. All complaints are investigated thoroughly, in line with our rules and procedures.' An official complaint was only made about the incident in May 2022, when Huw Thomas, the council leader, announced that Mr Jones would be appointed to his cabinet. As a result of the complaint, Mr Jones's party membership was administratively suspended and he was not appointed to the cabinet. No further details of the allegations have ever been released by the party. Party 'warned of legal consequences' Following his expulsion, Mr Jones, who has sat on the council since 2012, will represent the Llanrumney ward as an independent councillor. He told the BBC: 'The Labour Party have instructed me that there will be legal consequences if I discuss anything to do with this matter with the media or anyone else.' He has been approached for further comment by The Telegraph. Mr Jones was previously suspended from the party a decade ago after inappropriately messaging female party members. He was sacked from a previous job as a teacher in 2010 for tampering with GCSE coursework.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Labour councillor expelled for sexually harassing teenager
Welsh Labour has expelled a Cardiff councillor following a three year investigation which found he sexually harassed a Jones was suspended in 2022 after an official complaint was made but no details of the allegations have been released by the Wales has now learned that the investigation related to an incident where Jones was alleged to have inappropriately touched a young party member who was 17 at the said he had been "instructed by the Labour Party" there would be "legal consequences" if he spoke about the incident. Welsh Labour said Jones was investigated in line with their rules and procedures and "action will always be taken if party members or elected representatives are found to have breached the high standards we expect". People who gave evidence to the investigation said there were "a significant number of witnesses" to the incident, which took place at a social event in Liverpool in investigation by the Independent Complaints Board of the Labour Party said it was satisfied the conduct alleged did represents the Llanrumney ward and has been working for Islwyn's Labour Member of the Senedd (MS), Rhiannon Passmore. It is not the first allegation of inappropriate behaviour Jones has faced. He was previously suspended from the party a decade ago for inappropriately messaging female party members, and he was sacked in 2010 from his previous career as a teacher for tampering with GCSE official complaint about the incident in 2016 was made after the current leader of Cardiff Council, Huw Thomas, announced that Jones would be appointed to his cabinet in May was suspended pending an investigation and his appointment was never was officially expelled from the party last Monday and now sits as an independent councillor. A statement released on behalf of Welsh Labour and the council leader said: "Action will always be taken if party members or elected representatives are found to have breached the high standards the Labour Party expects of them."All complaints are investigated thoroughly in line with our rules and procedures."Jones has been an advisor to Labour Senedd member Rhiannon has not confirmed whether he is still in her said: "The Labour Party have instructed me that there will be legal consequences if I discuss anything to do with this matter with the media or anyone else."
