Anger over paedophile head teacher report delay

Neil Foden was jailed in 2024 for 17 years for 19 sexual offences against four girls between 2019 and 2023

Delaying publication of a report into how a paedophile head teacher abused girls is "re-traumatising" people, according to a solicitor.

An inquiry following Neil Foden's conviction was to be published on Wednesday but officials said they regretted the delay but needed to consider "legal obligations and information sharing further".

Foden, former head of Ysgol Friars in Bangor, Gwynedd, and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes, was jailed in 2024 for 17 years for sex offences against four girls.

Katherine Yates, who represents 22 people who allege they are victims of Foden, said "people have been waiting for this report and it's a stage almost in the healing process".

"Disappointed is an understatement - I'm cross," she said.

"It's a major step where we might have had some answers to what went wrong, and what can be changed so we don't get another situation like this in the future."

She said her clients had "cooperated with this report", adding: "How can it be pulled the day before? It's just not fair.

"It's re-traumatising people."

The North Wales Safeguarding Board announced its delay on Tuesday.

It is one of five in Wales with a legal duty to carry out reviews in cases of abuse involving children or vulnerable adults.

And it began work on the Foden inquiry in August 2024.

It said it appreciated its decision was a "huge disappointment to all those involved not least the brave women and children who are at the heart of this review".

"Those leading on the review continue with their responsibilities of focusing on the wellbeing of victims during this difficult time, as has been the case throughout the review cycle," a statement said.

Solicitor Katherine Yates: "People want answers, lots of people, not just the victims..."

Following his conviction, a BBC Wales investigation uncovered claims Foden may have abused children for more than 40 years, with far more victims.

"People want answers, lots of people, not just the victims, the families, and members of the public," said Ms Yates.

"And if this report can shed any light on what happened, why everything went wrong, what can be done in the future, then we need to see it."

Gwynedd council said it also had only been made aware of the delay late on Tuesday afternoon.

"We are currently awaiting further clarification from the safeguarding board," it added.