Labour decides not to kick out councillor who raised concern about 'all the black people'

Welsh Labour is facing criticism for failing to kick out a long-serving councillor who said during a meeting: "What are we going to do about all the black people coming to Briton Ferry?" WalesOnline revealed last July that Susan Davies – who represents Craig-Y-Darren on Briton Ferry town council in Neath Port Talbot – asked the question during a council meeting the previous month, shocking her fellow councillors. At the time, Ms Davies told us she accepted making the remark but denied holding racist views. We understand Welsh Labour received a complaint and has since issued Ms Davies with a formal warning. But in the view of one of the complainants, the decision not to remove her from the party is "disgraceful". "I am surprised by the decision," said the Briton Ferry resident, who did not want to be named. "That, to me, should represent gross misconduct and a breach of the very policies you uphold. People have been kicked out of other parties for similar turns of phrase." Meanwhile, after a separate investigation lasting almost 11 months, the public services ombudsman for Wales has confirmed it has found Ms Davies' behaviour "was suggestive of a breach of the code of conduct". The ombudsman's report has been referred to Neath Port Talbot Council for its standards committee to decide what - if any - action will be taken against Ms Davies. A meeting is expected to be held in the coming weeks. It is "disappointing" that the ombudsman's probe took so long, said one of the people who made a complaint to the watchdog last year. "There is still no actual resolution," she said. "At the time, I made some suggestions to a few of the town councillors about what could be done in response. "They could have put on a community event open to all, showcasing the ethnic groups and cultures we've got in Briton Ferry. When people get to know each other, it takes barriers down and humanises people, but nothing was done." When we phoned Ms Davies this week, she declined to comment beyond saying: "I only know as much as you do." She previously told us the comment about black people "came out wrong". "I was just acting on several complaints I'd had," she said last year. "But it wasn't intended against the blacks as such. It just came out wrong, definitely wrong, and I'm really upset about what I said. I would like to apologise to everybody about that." Ms Davies, a former teacher who has served on the council since around 1997, said she did not believe there should be fewer black people living in Briton Ferry but that she was simply raising a concern at the request of constituents. "I don't think there are too many," she added. "It's just that other people do. If people ask you to bring things up that's what the council is there for." Asked why she did not challenge her constituents' views, she replied: "I don't know. I couldn't say. It's just I was asked to bring it up by not just one person. But it was brought up at the wrong time and in the wrong way." Sources said Ms Davies' remark came after mayor Gareth Rice had raised issues including potholes and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and asked if members had any other topics to discuss. Labour councillor Colin Morgan, who represents Shelone Wood, told us at the time: "She relayed what was said in the pub. It's definitely not a view she held herself. You could say she was naïve couldn't you? But, at the end of the day, as a councillor you are the voicebox of the people." A few months before the incident, Neath Port Talbot council had received a scathing report on behaviour at Briton Ferry town council meetings. Concerns included "raised voices" and "disrespect" between councillors. Feedback was shared with the town council and "additional training" offered to members. In a statement on the case of Ms Davies, Neath Port Talbot Council has now said: “Arrangements are currently being made to convene a meeting of the standards committee in the coming weeks. The committee will determine the next steps in the process and, if appropriate, set a timetable in line with their procedural rules for the matter to be heard." Last year Briton Ferry Council said Ms Davies' language was "inappropriate" and not reflective of its values. Speaking to WalesOnline this week, the town council's spokesman said: "As of this moment, yes she is still a town councillor. We have no input to the standards committee." A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: "We do not comment on internal disciplinary matters." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .