PEMBROKESHIRE Mencap are to keep 'supportive' MP Stephen Crabb as their patron, despite calls for him to step down from his role.

In a joint statement from the Preseli Pembrokeshire MP and the Pembrokeshire Mencap Trustees, both parties confirm the need to continue their positive working relationship.

Mr Crabb has been the patron of Pembrokeshire Mencap for 11 years.

It has always been the policy of Pembrokeshire Mencap to appoint the sitting MP for Pembrokeshire as their patron regardless of political allegiance.

Following his recent meeting with Pembrokeshire Mencap Trustees, Stephen Crabb said: “We have had a strong and close relationship for more than a decade.

"I have been active in supporting the organisation in different ways from fundraising, including running the London Marathon, supporting them with local issues but importantly, as patron, spending time with the service users, their families and the volunteers who support the organisation.

"I have learnt an enormous amount from my work with this organisation but have never sought to use it to make political points.

“We enjoy frank and open discussions about changes in policy. As I made clear on my first day in my new role, I am placing particular importance on working with, and listening to, different disability organisations. It means that my relationship with Pembrokeshire Mencap becomes even more important than ever before.”

The Pembrokeshire Mencap Trustees said: “We met recently with Stephen and welcomed the opportunity to have a frank conversation with him following his appointment as Work and Pensions Secretary.

"It is important for Stephen to remain grounded on the views of the people directly affected by changes in policy. We cannot think of a better way of doing this than by keeping Stephen close to our organisation and the experiences of our users.”

“The Society has had a long association with, and enjoyed the support of our local MPs, whichever party has been in power. There are bound to be occasions when some of the members will have different views to those of our patrons, but delivering our organisation’s aims is key for all those involved with Pembrokeshire Mencap, including our patron.”

“Stephen has been very supportive in helping us with our aims over the years, and we see our ongoing relationship with him as being an important part in championing the needs of local adults with learning disabilities.”

Jim Scott, who set up the petition for Mr Crabb to resign as Pembrokeshire Mencap patron said: "People locally were deeply offended by National Mencap's invitation to 'invite Crabb to be a 'disability champion''. They have seen his voting record, they know what his Government stands for so any suggestion that he might stand for disabled people is simply offensive."