Welsh Liberal blogs

  Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS has claimed that “the stench of sleaze coming from the Conservative Party is overwhelming.” after reports that Alun Cairns was hired by a company just weeks before it secured a major UK Government contract. Responding to reports by  The Times  that Alun Cairns MP was hired as a consultant for a company just weeks before it secured a major contract for the UK Government without competition, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS has claimed that “the stench of sleaze coming from the Conservative Party is overwhelming .”   It was revealed by  the Times  that Alun Cairns, MP for the Vale of Glamorgan and former Secretary of State for Wales, was hired as a paid advisor by the Welsh-based company BBI Solutions in July 2020. A month after his appointment, the company won a major contract with the UK Government worth £75 million without competition. The contract had already been subject to criticism aft...

The Vale of Glamorgan MP received thousands over the last year Alun Cairn MP's election campaign last year was bankrolled with the help of a London property developer and a Ukrainian energy tycoon, we can reveal. We have looked through the declarations of interest of Welsh MPs to see who they have received funding from in the run up to December's election last year. Our investigation shows that former Welsh Secretary Mr Cairns, who resigned after questions emerged over his support for an aide who collapsed a rape trial, received significant funds from the property and energy industries. Over last decade, the Vale of Glamorgan MP and former AM has received several large donations as well as tickets to expensive events. In June last year Mr Cairns received a £5,000 donation from Ukrainian Alexander Temerko. Mr Temerko is a Ukrainian-born oil and gas businessman who was previously an arms tycoon. Last year Reuters wrote a profile of him in which th...

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have urged Alun Cairns not to stand as a candidate for the Vale of Glamorgan following his resignation as Secretary of State for Wales. Alun Cairns’ resignation follows revelations he was aware that former aide and Assembly Vale of Glamorgan candidate Ross England deliberately sabotaged a rape trial; despite assurances to the contrary. Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds commented: I welcome Alun Cairns’ resignation as it is clear he is not fit to represent Wales. These recent events show he is not fit to represent the Vale of Glamorgan in Westminster either. There must now be a full independent investigation to determine what people knew, when they knew it and how Mr England was able to be selected as a candidate despite his actions. This whole situation is a damming indictment of the entire leadership of the Welsh Conservatives. The way they have tried to turn a blind eye to the case is outrageous. Both Mr E...

Welsh Liberal Democrat Lead candidate for South Wales Central Cllr Rodney Berman has criticised Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns for putting his career over his constituents by serving in Boris Johnson’s cabinet. is retention as Secretary of State for Wales follows Alun Cairns’ endorsement of Boris Johnson in the Conservative leadership election contest. It means Alun Cairns will serve in cabinet alongside the likes of Priti Patel, Dominic Raab and Jacob Rees-Mogg . Lead Welsh Liberal Democrat Candidate Cllr Rodney Berman commented:  It is disappointing Alun Cairns has chosen to put his career before the interests of his constituents and the people of Wales. In 2016 he voted remain, he’s spent 3 years arguing for a Brexit deal and now he’s happy to support a no deal Brexit. We know a no deal Brexit would be devastating for Wales and the entirety of the UK. It will be catastrophic for our economy, leave us less free and threaten our ability to ...

UK ministers have been accused of avoiding scrutiny by refusing to give evidence to assembly inquiries. Mr Cairns said he was accountable to the Westminster Parliament, while Welsh Government ministers were answerable to the assembly. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss gave a similar response when she was invited as part of an inquiry into capital funding - money the Welsh Government spends on building projects. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss gave a similar response when she was invited as part of an inquiry into capital funding - money the Welsh Government spends on building projects. In letters to the committee, Mr Cairns and Ms Truss said it would be more appropriate for Welsh Government ministers to give evidence. Mr Cairns added that this was the third invitation he had received in recent weeks. In letters to the committee, Mr Cairns and Ms Truss said it would be more appropriate for Welsh Government ministers to give evide...