Andrew RT Davies: Welsh Conservative leader’s post on 20mph speed limit ‘brought Senedd into disrepute’
A social media post by the leader of the Welsh Conservatives “brought the Senedd into disrepute”, a report has found.
The Welsh parliament’s standards commissioner received two separate complaints relating to Andrew RT Davies using the term “blanket” in relation to the default 20mph speed limit.
The default speed limit in Wales’s built-up areas was reduced from 30mph in September last year.
It faced significant opposition in the form of a record-breaking petition on the Senedd’s website and the limit on some roads was later reviewed.
An investigation into similar comments was previously published in January, but Mr Davies was then cleared of a code of conduct breach.
On 1 February, the commissioner received a complaint that Mr Davies was “continuing to falsely use the term ‘blanket’ when referring to the 20mph ruling”.
In a post on X earlier that day, Mr Davies posted: “Another bus route cut thanks to Labour and Plaids (sic) blanket 20mph speed limits.”
Another complaint was received on 8 February because Mr Davies had continued to describe the default limit as a “blanket” limit since the commissioner “found that he was not correct” to do so.
The cross-party standards committee found Mr Davies had breached two rules of the code of conduct but he was cleared of a further rule break.
Last month, fellow Welsh Conservative Senedd member Natasha Asghar was also found to have breached the code of conduct over her use of the term “blanket”.
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Some have taken issue with the term “blanket” as the default limit does not apply to all Welsh roads.
In his representations to the commissioner, Mr Davies said he believed he was entitled to describe the limit as a “blanket” limit.
He said that he had used the description in the Senedd on 30 January and was not called to order.
Mr Davies was found to have breached a rule of the code of conduct that “members must not act or behave in a manner that brings the Senedd, or its members generally, into disrepute”.
He was also found to have broke the code of conduct rule that “members must uphold the overarching principles”, which are listed as “selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, respect and leadership”.
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In his report, Senedd commissioner Douglas Bain said that as “leader of the Welsh Conservatives and a former experienced member of the standards of conduct committee it was incumbent of the member to set a good example”.
The committee recommended a censure for Mr Davies, a way for the Senedd to express its disapproval, which stops short of a suspension.
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