A view of the Senedd
WELSH nationalists have said they might block the Bill to outlaw politicians from lying during Welsh elections.
The Bill was due to be debated in the Senedd after the Star went to press but Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said he supported the aims of the Bill, but would not support bad legislation.
Mr ap Iorwerth said in the current climate it was important for public confidence “to stop politicians telling untruths and peddling misinformation.”
Senedd members of the accountability Bill committee were sharply critical of the draft legislation.
In its report, the scrutiny committee said: “We believe that a power to limit free speech before or during an election with so few parameters as to the scope of any prohibition would be extraordinary as drafted.”
Senedd members, including some in Welsh Labour, have warned the Bill may fail to get enough support without significant changes, which would define what a “false or misleading” statement would be.
In the second of a series of interviews with leaders of progressive parties in Wales ahead of the May 7 Senedd election David Nicholson talks to Welsh Green Party leader ANTHONY SLAUGHTER
In the first of a series of interviews with leaders of progressive parties in Wales ahead of the May 7 Senedd election DAVID NICHOLSON talks to Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth
