Cardiff riot: MP asks why Alun Michael spoke for police

Questions have been raised over why a police boss spoke on behalf of South Wales Police after two teens died and a riot broke out in Cardiff.

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Alun Michael initially said police had not "chased" the two boys who were killed in a crash on Monday.

Labour MP Kevin Brennan questioned whether he was the "right person" to do this.

A PCC is meant to hold the police to account and be the people's voice.

Mr Brennan told the BBC's Walescast podcast he was "sure" Mr Michael spoke in "good faith" after CCTV emerged showing a police van had been following the boys just minutes before the fatal crash.

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, died alongside his best friend Harvey Evans, 15, in a crash on Snowden Road, Ely, shortly after 18:00 BST on Monday.

Following the boys' deaths, word spread on social media that a marked police van had been following them before the crash.

Several hours of violence and rioting followed, resulting in 15 officers being injured and nine arrests.

On Wednesday, South Wales Police confirmed its officers had been following the teenagers prior to their deaths, but refused to answer further questions about it, citing an ongoing Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.

A PCC is not responsible for day-to-day policing.

They are elected politicians who scrutinise the police, oversees a force's budget and appoint or sack chief constables when necessary.

PCCs are also meant to ensure policing meets the needs of their respective communities.

Mr Brennan, who represents Cardiff West, said: "I think it's sensible, you know, for all of us to reflect on how these sorts of events should be handled and how communication around them should be handled.

"Whether the police and crime commissioner is the right person in these circumstances to be, effectively, communicating to the public is a very good question."

Mr Michael is a former Labour minister who was Wales' first leader of the assembly - a job known as First Secretary at the time.

He has served as South Wales' PCC since 2012 and is paid £86,700 a year.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales Central, said: "Police and crime commissioners are elected by the public to be the voice of the people. In fact, one of Mr Michael's stated aims is 'holding the police accountable'.

"Alun Michael has seemingly acted as a spokesperson for South Wales Police rather than the community, and I think he needs to explain why this is, and better demonstrate his role in ensuring that the facts are independently established before further public statements are made."

Mr Michael's office has been asked for comment.

Meanwhile, First Minister Mark Drakeford held a meeting with community representatives in Ely at lunchtime on Friday.

The Welsh government said the meeting would discuss support for the community.

Mr Drakeford, alongside Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt, chaired the meeting between politicians, agencies, and community groups.

Mr Brennan, Mr Michael, Ely councillor Russell Goodway and Cardiff council leader Huw Thomas are also expected to attend.

Later on Friday, a vigil and balloon release in Ely is planned to pay tribute to the boys.

In a Facebook post, a friend of the families said: "We know tensions are still high right now. But we ask if [on Friday] night for the balloon release people can keep their anger inside."

Police said they were continuing to investigate both the crash and the riot which followed.

The IOPC has launched an investigation into "any interaction" between the police and the teenagers prior to the crash.