Top Tory doesn't feel leadership is under threat

Andrew RT Davies has faced criticism over his comments on halal meat and the future of the Senedd

The leader of the Conservatives in the Senedd has said he does not feel his position is under threat.

Andrew RT Davies has faced criticism over his remarks on halal meat, the future of the Senedd and inappropriate language from one of his MSs.

He appeared to rule out suspending Laura Anne Jones, who used a racist slur to describe Chinese people in a WhatsApp chat.

Ms Jones has already been removed from Mr Davies's shadow cabinet pending a police investigation into her expenses.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Mr Davies said none of his colleagues had suggested Ms Jones be suspended.

"I note that Laura Anne Jones has made a full and wholesome apology for the use of wholly inappropriate language.

"What do we do these days? Do we take people out and tar and feather them or do we accept an apology, understand that people learn the lessons from their mistake and move on?"

Conservative MSs are not due to meet as a group again until after the summer recess in September.

But at least one is considering whether to ask for an emergency meeting before then.

The Welsh Conservative leader said none of his colleagues suggested Laura Anne Jones be suspended

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

One said they were becoming increasingly "difficult to defend" and if things continued as they were then his position would be "untenable" and he could face a leadership challenge.

In a separate row, Mr Davies was accused of "Islamophobic race-baiting" by the Muslim Council of Wales over a GB News article he wrote.

In it, he said children "should not be forced to eat halal school lunches", 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."

Mr Davies said allegations of race-baiting were "completely untrue" and his concerns revolved around choice.

Mr Davies has also been criticised by one of his predecessors, Lord Nick Bourne, after a post on social media in which he asked whether the Senedd should be abolished.

He later clarified that abolishing the Welsh Parliament was was neither his nor his party's position.

"Do I feel challenged? Do I feel threatened? No of course I don't because I am a politician that engages with the public," Mr Davies said.

"What is wrong with putting a question to people at an agricultural show when you're trying to engage with people as they go past your stand?

"If you want to engage with a group of society that do hold a view contrary to yours you pose a question and then you engage with them on a one-to-one basis."

Despite unhappiness within the Conservative Senedd group, it is not thought a leadership challenge is imminent, largely because there is no obvious replacement for Mr Davies.