COUNCIL Leader Jamie Adams has denied he put pressure on an unaffiliated member of his Cabinet to join the ruling Independent Plus Political Group (IPPG) just days after the resignation of a member cost the group its majority.
At last Thursday’s December 10 full meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, a question was submitted by East Williamston county councillor Jacob Williams.
In his question, Cllr Williams stated, at full council last October, Cllr Adams said he was happy Councillor Alison Lee, a former Labour councillor, served in his Cabinet as an unaffiliated member.
Cllr Williams said Cllr Adams had previously said he was committed to maintaining cross-party relations and placed “on record” he would put “no pressure” on Cllr Lee to joining his ruling group, the IPPG.
“Despite previously telling the media she wouldn’t, Cllr Lee recently joined the leader’s IPPG days after Cllr Pearl Llewellyn’s resignation cost the group its majority,” said Cllr Williams.
He added: “Does the Leader remain indifferent to his Cabinet members’ political affiliations like he put on record last year, or did the disastrous consequences of losing his group’s majority cause him to have a rethink?”
Responding, Cllr Adams said: “Cllr Lee’s membership of the IPPG is a matter for her; my position remains unchanged.”
Referring to the online ‘webcasting’ of meetings, Cllr Williams asked: “Could the Leader look into the camera lens and promise, in all honesty, that after Cllr Llewellyn resigned from the IPPG, removing its majority, he made no attempt, either through himself or anybody else, to persuade Cllr Lee to join his ruling group or to claim her position in the Cabinet would be in jeopardy if she remained an unaffiliated member.
“Will the Leader look into the camera lens and make the solemn pledge he didn’t do that?”
Cllr Adams replied: “I reiterate my response; my position on the political affiliation of any member of my Cabinet has not changed.”
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