Council boss denies it was behind Foden report delay

Neil Foden was jailed for 17 years last year for 19 sexual offences against four girls between 2019 and 2023

The chief executive of Cyngor Gwynedd has insisted the authority had nothing to do with the last-minute postponement of a report into the crimes of paedophile head teacher Neil Foden.

The long-awaited findings by the North Wales Safeguarding Children Board were set to be published last Wednesday.

But on Tuesday afternoon, it was announced this would not happen while the board "considered its legal obligations and information sharing further". Dafydd Gibbard said he was in "disbelief" when he received an email with the news.

Foden was jailed last year for 17 years after being found guilty of 19 sex offences against four girls. The safeguarding board has been asked for comment.

Last week it said it appreciated its decision was "a huge disappointment to all those involved".

Foden, now 68, of Old Colwyn in Conwy county, was head teacher of Ysgol Friars, Bangor, and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Penygroes.

Mr Gibbard said on Thursday the authority had expected a "painful" report.

He told a full council meeting in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, there was no discussion with the authority before an email arrived informing it that publication was being postponed.

"I was staring at the screen in disbelief for several minutes," Mr Gibbard said.

"Everyone will have their theory, that's natural.

"One theory is that the council asked for the report to be postponed. This is not correct."

The council, Mr Gibbard said, had not received an explanation of the board's decision not to publish.

He added the authority had wanted it to be published so it could "learn and improve.

'Impact on victims'

"Being defensive is a waste of energy and is a disservice to the victims," he said.

"We will welcome the contents of the report and pour all our energy towards improving.

"What is clear is that they [the board] did not make this decision on a whim and they did not want to be in this situation.

"But if we're frustrated, the impact on victims is much greater."

Cyngor Gwynedd leader Nia Jeffreys added the council was "eager to see the report published as soon as possible".

"We have formally contacted the North Wales Safeguarding Board to request an explanation, but unfortunately, we still have no information regarding the reasons for the delay," she said.

"I can assure the council that Cyngor Gwynedd had no role in the decision and we are eager to see the report published as soon as possible."