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The leader of the Welsh Conservatives resigned after he drank alcohol on the Senedd estate days after the ban on alcohol in pubs went into effect.
Paul Davies said the controversy over last month’s events had become a “distraction” and that he is withdrawing with “immediate effect” despite calls from his colleagues to continue.
He was said to have drunk alcohol on the Welsh parliament estate with Conservative whip chief Darren Millar, party chief of staff Paul Smith and former Welsh government minister Alun Davies, who has already been suspended from the Welsh Labor Senedd group.
The incident occurred on December 8, four days after the prohibition of the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises came into force, although it was allowed to sell alcohol without a license until 10:00 p.m.
An internal investigation by the Senedd Commission established that “five people consumed alcohol”, four of whom were elected members, in the authorized Senedd tea room.
The investigation concluded that there was “a possible breach of regulations” and therefore the matter has been referred to the Cardiff Council.
In announcing his resignation, Paul Davies said he was “really sorry” for his actions on December 8 and the following day, when more alcoholic beverages were reportedly produced.
“They have damaged the trust and respect that I have built up over 14 years in the Welsh Parliament with my colleagues and the Conservative Party in general, but, more importantly, with the people of Wales,” he said.
He insisted that “there was no drunkenness or disorderly behavior” and “we did not have to be escorted out of the building as some reports have suggested.”
“What we did was have a little alcohol with a meal that we heated in a microwave, which was a couple of glasses of wine on Tuesday and a beer on Wednesday,” he added.
“I did not violate any COVID-19 regulations.”
Millar said that he would also resign his position as leader in the Senedd and that he wanted to apologize to his family, colleagues and constituents for any “embarrassment” that media reports on what happened may have caused.
Darren Millar has resigned as Conservative Chief Whip in the Senedd
He said he joined the work dinners on December 8 and 9, adding: “On both nights I served myself a pre-prepared meal that was reheated in the microwave and ate it while having an alcoholic beverage and discussing work matters with colleagues. .
“Social distancing persisted during these business dinners and it just didn’t occur to me, my colleagues, or the catering team that the arrangements might have been inappropriate.”
His statement added: “While I am informed that I did not violate coronavirus regulations, I am very sorry for my actions, especially given the impact of the harsh restrictions that individuals and businesses are enduring.
“For this reason, and as Paul Davies has resigned as the leader of the Conservative Group for Wales in the Senedd, I have decided to resign from my front row seat in the Welsh Parliament.
“I am fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations and will continue to do so.”
In May, Darren Millar criticized the Welsh Minister of Health Vaughan Gething for being photographed taking a walk with his family and eating potato chips, despite COVID-19 restrictions.
At the time, Millar called for Gething to be fired, saying: “The public sees that it is one rule for the health minister and another for them.”
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