Labour councillor expelled for sexually harassing teenager

Welsh Labour has expelled a Cardiff councillor following a three year investigation which found he sexually harassed a teenager.

Keith Jones was suspended in 2022 after an official complaint was made but no details of the allegations have been released by the party.

BBC Wales has now learned that the investigation related to an incident where Jones was alleged to have inappropriately touched a young party member who was 17 at the time.

Jones said he had been "instructed by the Labour Party" there would be "legal consequences" if he spoke about the incident.

Welsh Labour said Jones was investigated in line with their rules and procedures and "action will always be taken if party members or elected representatives are found to have breached the high standards we expect".

People who gave evidence to the investigation said there were "a significant number of witnesses" to the incident, which took place at a social event in Liverpool in 2016.

The investigation by the Independent Complaints Board of the Labour Party said it was satisfied the conduct alleged did occur.

Jones represents the Llanrumney ward and has been working for Islwyn's Labour Member of the Senedd (MS), Rhianon Passmore.

It is not the first allegation of inappropriate behaviour Jones has faced.

He was previously suspended from the party a decade ago for inappropriately messaging female party members, and he was sacked in 2010 from his previous career as a teacher for tampering with GCSE coursework.

An official complaint about the incident in 2016 was made after the current leader of Cardiff Council, Huw Thomas, announced that Jones would be appointed to his cabinet in May 2022.

He was suspended pending an investigation and his appointment was never ratified.

Jones was officially expelled from the party last Monday and now sits as an independent councillor.

A statement released on behalf of Welsh Labour and the council leader said: "Action will always be taken if party members or elected representatives are found to have breached the high standards the Labour Party expects of them.

"All complaints are investigated thoroughly in line with our rules and procedures."

Jones has been an advisor to Labour Senedd member Rhianon Passmore.

She has not confirmed whether he is still in her employment.

Jones said: "The Labour Party have instructed me that there will be legal consequences if I discuss anything to do with this matter with the media or anyone else."