Gwynedd cabinet members quit after no apology to Neil Foden’s victims

Foden, formerly head of Ysgol Friars, was sentenced to 17 years in prison in July, having been found guilty in May of 19 sexual offences involving four female child victims between 2019 and 2023.

But a BBC Wales Investigates programme, which aired on October 8, revealed allegations of abuse from Foden, 67, from as far back as 1979.

In an interview with Newyddion S4C on October 10, Gwynedd Council leader, Dyfrig Siencyn, refused to apologise on behalf of the local authority to Foden’s victims.

On October 11, Plaid Cymru councillors Beca Brown, Berwyn Parry Jones, Dafydd Meurig, and Elin Walker Jones released a joint statement, saying that they were quitting the cabinet due to “fundamental differences”.

Cllr Brown was the council’s cabinet member for education, Cllr Parry Jones for highways and municipal and Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy, Cllr Meurig for environment, and Cllr Walker Jones for children and young people.

The statement read: “We wish to sincerely express our heartbreak and deepest apologies to the victims of sex offender Neil Foden for the horrific experiences they have had to endure because of him.

“We have stepped down from Cyngor Gwynedd’s cabinet today due to fundamental differences between us and the leadership regarding how to respond to what Foden did and what is the best way to go about finding out exactly what went wrong.

“We wish to distance ourselves from the comments made by leader Dyfrig Siencyn on the S4C’s Newyddion programme.

“We stand with the victims and fully support the statement of the Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Group and the elected members of the county and call once again for a public inquiry and an independent review of the council’s processes.

“We deeply regret that the council's leadership issues have drawn attention from what is most important in this tragic situation - namely the suffering of the girls.”

Following their resignations, Cllr Siencyn said: “I sincerely apologise to all those who have suffered at the hands of sex offender Neil Foden.

“And (I) would wish to reassure the people of Gwynedd, and in particular the victims, that I and my fellow councillors are determined to leave no stone unturned to establish what went wrong and to ensure this can never been allowed to happen again.

“I reiterate what I have already said - that Neil Foden's victims remain in all our thoughts. My priority – and that of Cyngor Gwynedd – is that lessons are learnt from this tragic case.”

During Foden’s trial, it was heard that, in 2019, concerns were raised by those who knew him about him being seen alone with teenagers, fearing he was opening himself up to a “false accusation”.

Gwynedd Council was informed but held no formal investigation, and its then-director of education has since resigned.

Cllr Siencyn also backed calls for a public inquiry, and said Gwynedd Council will “act immediately” on all of the recommendations which arise from an ongoing Child Practice Review (CPR).

Of the three women which the BBC programme heard from, two said they have not been contacted by anyone involved in the CPR, which is being conducted by the North Wales Safeguarding Board.

The CPR board said it was unaware of the two women until being contacted by the BBC.

Cllr Siencyn added: “I confirm that I have requested a thorough independent review of all council internal processes in this area, to run alongside the statutory CPR.

“The independent review of council processes will begin as soon as possible and we will act immediately on all recommendations that emanate from the process.

“In addition, in light of the further allegations about Neil Foden on this week's BBC programme, I support the call for a public inquiry.

“I am saddened by the news that four of my fellow cabinet members have today announced that they are stepping down from their duties.

“I wish to thank them for their valuable contribution and tireless work for the people and communities of Gwynedd.”