Welsh politician ‘asked assistant to maximise expenses claims in damning WhatsApp messages’
A member of the Welsh Parliament is being investigated by police over allegations relating to expense claims.
Messages leaked from the phone of Laura Anne Jones, a Conservative member of the Senedd, appeared to ask an aide to maximize the politician’s expenses.
In one message, an employee was asked, “When doing petrol thing – always make more than me – add stuff, okay,” followed by a thumbs up and a palms-together emoji.
The context for the WhatsApp messages is not clear. Mileage claims for Senedd members must be approved by the member themselves.
A lawyer on her behalf said: ‘Ms Jones is convinced that any allegations relating to impropriety surrounding the expenditure have been grossly misconstrued.’
Messages leaked from the phone of Laura Anne Jones, a Conservative member of the Senedd, appeared to ask an aide to maximize the politician’s expense claims
The context for the WhatsApp messages is not clear. Ms Jones is currently under investigation by Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain and South Wales Police
Messages to an employee asking whether they should submit expense reports for the days Ms. Jones was ill received no immediate response.
The Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd said: ‘We will not comment while this matter is being considered by the relevant authorities.’
Ms Jones, the Conservative shadow culture minister, has said she will cooperate fully with “any investigation”.
Messages to an employee asking whether they should submit expense reports for the days Ms. Jones was ill received no immediate response.
However, a graph showing the proposed expenditure then appeared to be sent to Ms Jones’ phone, as seen by BBC Wales.
A comment on Ms Jones’ phone read: ‘If you could always do more than it says that would be fantastic, thank you,’ followed by a thumbs up emoji.
When the staff member asked ‘such as visits to the constituency office?’, the response was: ‘Yes, things like that [palms together emoji].’
Ms Jones is currently under investigation by Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain and South Wales Police. No arrests have been made.
The standards commissioner, who is responsible for investigating complaints against Welsh members, had referred a complaint to police, according to the force.
The original complaint to Mr Bain related to Ms Jones’ handling of allegations of bullying by a senior member of staff, BBC Wales reported.
Allegations about South Wales East MS’s expenditure emerged as part of Mr Bain’s investigation.
It is understood the standards commissioner’s investigation has been put on hold while the police investigation takes place, and police have spoken to at least one member of the Conservative staff.
A lawyer on behalf of Ms Jones said in a statement: ‘Ms Jones has not received any formal complaints of bullying in relation to any of her staff members.’
They added that she is “confident that any allegations regarding impropriety surrounding the expenditure have been completely misconstrued.”
“Ms Jones believes that these complaints made to the Standards Commissioner are unfounded.
“As these matters are the subject of ongoing investigations, it would be inappropriate for Ms Jones to comment further.
‘Ms Jones has no problem with the BBC or its sources referring these allegations to the police and/or the Standards Commissioner, which will give her the opportunity to respond in a formal manner as part of the investigation if the authorities so require. ‘
