Ombudsman refers Swansea misconduct to police

The bizarre 'roads for votes' scandal at Swansea Council went toxic last night as it emerged that the ombudsman had called in the police to look at the possibility of a criminal investigation.

Today’s Evening Post confirms the serious turn of events with a spokesman for South Wales police stating that inquiries would be conducted by the force's economic crime unit.

The action is likely to see a repeat of previous calls from Swansea AMs that the three councillors involved should be suspended while investigations continue.

There is similar opinion growing elsewhere and we hear that Welsh Liberal Democrats are under pressure internally to act. This may be what provoked battered council leader Chris Holley into finally making a public statement of innocence.

Meanwhile, Rockin’ Rene Kinzett got his own special Crimestopper’s award last night, courtesy of his tory group, who dumped him on a no confidence rap for grassing up a colleague. Technically, Rene quit first – and has already commented on the calibre of a local Conservative party that seems to countenance alleged misconduct and penalises those who report it.

His removal will no doubt be challenged by Swansea West Association who recently gave Kinzett their unanimous backing as next year’s council candidate for Mayals.


Update: A recent comment queried Peter Black's stance on the above events. The following Twitter exchange this morning between the Lib Dem AM and Rene Kinzett is illuminating.
------------------------------------

peterblackwales Peter Black

@ReneKinzett is it the moral course to jump before you are pushed then whilst flinging mud around on your way out?

ReneKinzett René Kinzett

@peterblackwales we'll wait to see what the police have to say first, Peter. As ever you're wide of the mark and quick to react

peterblackwales Peter Black

@ReneKinzett it would help if you waited for the police before jumping to conclusions Rene.

@ReneKinzett René Kinzett

@peterblackwales errr...in your blog the other week you leapt to quite a few conclusions and retracted falsehoods too!

peterblackwales Peter Black

@ReneKinzett which blog was that Rene?

peterblackwales Peter Black

@ReneKinzett I take your failure to respond with details of your claim as an apology for again making groundless accusations

ReneKinzett René Kinzett

@peterblackwales good grief u really make me laugh! I was having brunch, get a life, mate! Yr blog re CEO 'not' referring to O

peterblackwales Peter Black

@ReneKinzett that blog is accurate and I have withdrawn none of it.

@ReneKinzett René Kinzett

@peterblackwales yawn!

peterblackwales Peter Black

@ReneKinzett yes you really are becoming quite tedious Rene

ReneKinzett René Kinzett

@peterblackwales errr yr still going on? Black calling the Kinzett the kettle?

peterblackwales Peter Black

@ReneKinzett if you are going to make unfounded accusations Rene you cannot escape the fact that you will be found out

ReneKinzett René Kinzett

@peterblackwales so unfounded the Ombudsman (not one of my biggest fans) is suspending his investigation whilst the Police make inquiries?!

peterblackwales Peter Black

@ReneKinzett innocent before proven guilty! The fact of an investigation does not establish guilt or make an accusation any more credible.
------------------------------------
Oh dear. If this is the abysmal standard that politics in Swansea has reached then perhaps the idea of an elected mayor is not such a terrible proposition after all.


Update: Some Late News from the Beeb