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Mandy Jones suspended from UKIP following criticism of Wales’ party leader Neil Hamilton
Mandy Jones has been suspended for comments she made about UKIP’s party leader in Wales, Neil Hamilton.
The North Wales assembly member is member of the UKIP party but sits as an independent in the Assembly.
Last week, she objected to Mr Hamilton being appointed to the Assembly Commission which is responsible for AMs’ staff because he had not supported a policy on dignity and respect in the Assembly.
There are many reasons why I would object to Neil Hamilton becoming a Commissioner. However, the reason I wish to put on record is that, on 16 May, Neil Hamilton abstained on the vote in support of the emerging dignity and respect policy. The main crux of his argument appeared to be that it should only apply part of the time. Becoming an Assembly Member is an honour, and it should be respected as such. It is not a part-time job. The Nolan principles and the code of conduct, which we all promised to abide by when we were sworn in, do not get shrugged off like a wet coat when they become too uncomfortable. I do not see how his position is compatible with the role of Assembly Commissioner.
– Mandy Jones AM
Credit: PA Images
In response to the objection, Neil Hamilton defended his actions.
We disagree honourably amongst each other in a democratic Assembly, and we’re entitled to take different views on the desirability of proposed courses of action. That doesn’t mean that any of us condones the kind of conduct, behaviour or words that are reprehensible or opprobrious and are likely to cause egregious offence, and still less those that are racist or whatever.
– Neil Hamilton AM, Leader of UKIP in Wales
The Party Secretary has the right to suspend or expel members who clearly bring the Party into disrepute by association with or membership of an organisation, membership of which the NEC has declared to be incompatible with membership of the Party or establish a group in opposition to an official UKIP group.
– UKIP Party Secretary
In an unprecedented move, assembly members then voted to reject Neil Hamilton as UKIP’s nomination to the Assembly Commission.
The party’s AMs will now have to decide whether to try again or put forward a different name.
5/6 He insists he didn’t instigate the disciplinary process against @MandyJonesAM but he backs it. It’s irrelevant that she’s not a group member. UKIP constitution says members shouldn’t campaign against UKIP nominees for a position
2/6 The national ballot for Assembly group leader will ‘put an end to this kind of squabbling.’ There wasn’t one when he took the rôle because they were newly elected & were in the middle of the EU referendum. It would have better if they had held one.
1/6 I’ve just interviewed @NeilUKIP about the Assembly leadership debacle and @MandyJonesAM suspension. It’ll be online shortly but here are some of the most interesting lines:
Hearing there was a tense UKIP group meeting tonight. I’m led to believe UKIP’s deputy leader Mike Hookem told AMs the’ll be a ballot of Welsh members to decide leader of the Assembly group. This after Caroline Jones ousted Neil Hamilton for the job last month.
UKIP has suspended @MandyJonesAM – who sits in the Assembly as an independent – as a party member and triggered a disciplinary investigation following criticism that she made of former group leader (and current UKIP Wales leader) Neil Hamilton.
A spokesperson for @MandyJonesAM says she ‘stands by what she said in the Chamber last week and has no regrets. The majority agreed with her. UKIP has lost nothing – they simply need to field an appropriate candidate for the role.’
It is for these reasons that the chairman has taken the decision to suspend you using his emergency powers granted to him under constitutional provision 11.9 – 11.11.
In his letter UKIP’s party secretary refers to criticism by @MandyJonesAM of Neil Hamilton during a debate on a possible role for him as an Assembly commissioner.
UKIP has suspended @MandyJonesAM and triggered a disciplinary hearing for comments she made about @NeilUKIP in the Senedd last week. She’s not a member of the UKIP Assembly group.
Regards,
Greg_L-W.
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We welcome comments but reserve the right to moderate & refuse libelous or offensive comments and those we choose to delete when written by unidentifiable individuals hidden in anonymity in a cowardly manner to defame or abuse. No comment has EVER been barred or deleted which is genuine & clearly authored by a named & identifiable individual. You will note many comments made have been commented on and even corrected by the blog owner. We welcome genuine comments.