Welsh Tory 'race-baiting', says Muslim group

Andrew RT Davies says he entirely rejects the criticism

The Welsh Conservative Senedd leader has been accused of engaging in "Islamophobic race-baiting" by a Muslim group.

Andrew RT Davies wrote "children should not be forced to eat halal school lunches", in an article for GB News, after a constituent alleged she was told non-halal meat was not available at her daughter's school in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.

The school said on social media "the statement that all meat options are halal only is incorrect".

The Muslim Council of Wales has accused Mr Davies' of "ham-fisted attempts at dog-whistle racism" which have "real consequences on our streets". Mr Davies has said he "entirely" rejects the criticism.

The article was posted on X, formerly Twitter, by controversial far-right activist and convicted criminal Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, and was widely shared.

In the GB News article, Mr Davies said: "Children shouldn’t be forced to have to eat halal school lunches, but in the era of conformity, this common sense call is derided."

The Muslim Council of Wales has released a strongly-worded response, saying: "Andrew RT Davies is engaging in Islamophobic race-baiting, at a time when we require politicians to be the voice of reason and show moral leadership."

It added: "The ham-fisted attempts at dog-whistle racism may lead to more engagement online for Mr Davies, but have real consequences on our streets and in our mosques."

"Many Muslim children face bullying and discrimination in schools, and Mr Davies' public and misleading campaign on halal meat will undoubtedly have an impact on returning Muslim pupils in September."

South Wales East Senedd member Natasha Asghar, a member of Mr Davies' shadow cabinet, told BBC Wales she had raised concerns with him.

She is one of two Muslims in the Conservative group in Cardiff Bay.

"As a member of the Conservative Party since 2010, I can categorically say that the party is not Islamophobic," she said.

"Anybody with any concerns of any kind can reach out to myself or any other members of the Senedd, we are not inapproachable.

"Right now I am striving for peace and on working tirelessly to create community cohesion and peace on our streets for everyone."

How has Mr Davies responded?

In a statement, Mr Davies said he had contacted the local authority on behalf of his constituent asking for assurances that the choice of a non-halal meat option would be provided.

"These were legitimate questions and as an elected member, I fulfilled my responsibilities by asking them," he said.

"Attempts to equate those legitimate concerns with the disorder we’ve seen on our streets is particularly irresponsible.

"Just as the thuggery we’ve seen cannot be justified by legitimate concerns on political issues, those same concerns must not be ignored by political leaders.

"Doing so risks leaving the field clear for extremists to exploit for their own, dangerous ends."

He added: "For my part, I will continue to engage with a broad range of individuals and organisations across all religious and community groups.

"This includes the Sikh constituents who welcomed the clarification I sought on school meals, as for religious reasons Sikhs cannot consume meat that has been ritually slaughtered.

"As a politician it is my job to take forward concerns raised by constituents, and I will continue to do so."

How secure is his leadership?

Some members of the Conservative Senedd group have expressed concerns privately about Mr Davies' social media posts.

One said his posts were becoming increasingly "difficult to defend", adding that if things continue as they are then his position would become “untenable” and he could face a leadership challenge.

It follows a post this week asking whether the Senedd should be abolished?

Several senior party Senedd members, past and present, disagreed publicly with the post and asked why the question was being posed.

Mr Davies's predecessor as leader, Paul Davies, said on X: "The Conservative Party is clear - it is not party policy to abolish the Senedd so not sure why this question is even being asked."

Former group leader Lord Nick Bourne, said: "It has NEVER been the policy of the Welsh Conservative Party to abolish the assembly/Senedd. Why pose this question?"

Senedd members Natasha Asghar and Tom Giffard also posted their disagreement.

Despite widespread unhappiness within the Senedd group, it is not thought that a challenge to his leadership is imminent, largely because there is no obvious candidate to replace him.