No disciplinary action has been taken by Pembrokeshire County Council after it was revealed a school provided false information in a reference for a former member of staff who had been dismissed for sexual misconduct with a young person.

According to the joint Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) and Estyn report “a school provided false information in a reference for a former member of staff stating that they had resigned from their post when in fact they had been dismissed for sexual misconduct with a young person”.

It also stated a second reference then minimised the sexual misconduct.

At full council on Thursday, Cllr Mike Stoddart asked if disciplinary action had been taken in regard to the ‘misleading reference’ and whether the person or people responsible for the reference were still employed by the council.

Cllr Anne Hughes, now cabinet member for safeguarding, child protection and the wellbeing of children and young people, said: “The person responsible for providing the original reference has left employment of the authority and no copy of the reference exists. The author of the second reference continues to be employed by the authority.

“A copy of the second reference exists. It is factually correct and its content is relevant to the employment sought which was not working with children,” she said.

Cllr Hughes confirmed no disciplinary action had been taken and the parents of the young person were informed of the incident by police.

Cllr Hughes said the school governing body had not been informed that a member of staff had been dismissed for misconduct adding that was normal practice.

“The governing body was not informed at the time about the issue of references but they have been fully briefed subsequently.”

Cllr Michael Williams submitted a question asking for the school to be identified.

Leader John Davies said: “It is not appropriate for me to reveal details which might enable the individuals involved to be identified.”

Cllr Davies said he was disappointed and concerned by the line of questioning by Cllr Williams, who responded by saying: “I think we have a duty to put our schools out of their misery.”