Councillor suspended for responding in German to emails written in Welsh

Councillor Louise Hughes has expressed regret for her "mistake" and says she is now "paying the price" having been suspended for a month.

Tomos Evans

Wales reporter

Tuesday 18 April 2023 17:56, UK

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A councillor has been suspended for one month after she responded in German to two emails written in Welsh.

Councillor Louise Hughes breached the code of conduct for members, Gwynedd Council's standards committee found.

Cllr Hughes has expressed remorse and regret for her actions, adding there was "no malice" intended and she would "never knowingly offend anyone".

The complaint was referred to the committee after the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales carried out an investigation.

It heard Cllr Hughes was unaware that council translation services were available for her to help with correspondence such as this.

However, the investigation found the councillor should have known that responding in German would be "perceived as inappropriate".

The committee found she had breached the code of conduct for members on three provisions: that members should show due regard for equality of opportunity for all people, show respect and consideration for others, and not conduct themselves in a way which could be seen as bringing their office into disrepute.

Cllr Hughes told Sky News: "We all make mistakes. I made a mistake and now I'm paying the price."

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: "The Committee decided as a result that Councillor Louise Hughes should be suspended from being a member of Cyngor Gwynedd [Gwynedd Council] for a period of one month.

"The member will have the right to apply to the Adjudication Panel for Wales for permission to appeal against the decision."

The standards committee also recommended Gwynedd Council assist members when they receive correspondence in a language they do not understand.

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