Wales ombudsman official resigns after Tory abuse row

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies has said he's lost confidence in the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

A senior investigator at the public services ombudsman for Wales has resigned following a row over alleged anti-Conservative comments.

Sinead Cook was suspended last week pending an investigation into the remarks made on social media.

On Thursday the ombudsman said that Ms Cook had stood down and was no longer employed by the organisation.

It came after Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said he no longer had confidence in the watchdog.

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Speaking before the resignation Mr Davies, Tory MP for Monmouth, called for a new ombudsman and new watchdog body to be put in place.

The ombudsman's office investigates complaints made by the public about public bodies, and councillors who are accused of breaking their code of conduct.

Two of its guiding principles include impartiality and independence.

Mr Davies said: "I would prefer a new ombudsman to be put in place and a new body... I don't have confidence in them. It is deeply concerning."

'Every single case needs re-evaluating'

He also repeated calls made by his Conservative colleagues in the Senedd for past cases to be re-examined.

"Every single case that has been put to the ombudsman since Ms Cook was investigating needs to be looked at by someone independent," he said.

The ombudsman, Michelle Morris, has been in post since 2022 and is a Crown appointment following a recommendation from the Senedd.

Mr Davies said the UK government would be prepared to work with the Welsh Parliament to dismiss office holders and start the process again.

"We need to find someone who has the confidence of all political parties in Wales," he said.

Michelle Morris has been in post as the public services ombudsman for Wales since 2022

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales before Ms Cook's resignation, Ms Morris told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that she had been shocked by what had happened.

"We moved promptly to speak to that member of staff and suspend them," she said.

"This is way below the standard of conduct we expect from our officers."

Ms Morris said her office had 70 members of staff and the allegations involved one of them, but acknowledged she had work to do to ensure there was "faith" in the organisation's impartiality.

The ombudsman has declined to comment on Mr Davies's concerns and a further statement is expected next week.