Image source, Senedd Cymru
- author, Terreri Glyn Jones
- role, BBC Wales News Political Reporter
-
Text messages sent from a Conservative Senedd MP’s mobile phone appear to ask staff to maximise the MP’s expenses claim, seen by BBC Wales.
Laura Ann Jones is under police investigation over allegations regarding expenses.
One message asked staff: “Whenever I pay for gas, please pay more than I pay you. Give me something extra.”
The context of the WhatsApp messages is unclear. A lawyer for Mr Jones said: “Mr Jones believes the allegations of misconduct regarding expenses are entirely misconstrued.”
The Conservative party in the Welsh House of Lords said: “We will not be commenting whilst this matter is being considered by the relevant authorities.”
Mr Jones, the Conservative shadow culture secretary, had previously said he would co-operate fully with “any investigation”.
BBC Wales has seen messages sent to staff asking whether Jones should claim politicians’ expenses for the days he was absent sick.
There was no direct answer to that question, but a graph of the proposed expenses was apparently sent to Jones’ mobile phone.
“If you can do more than what you normally write then that’s great. Thank you,” Jones’s response from her mobile phone read, along with a thumbs up emoji.
Another message from the same phone read: “Every time you fill up with gas make more than I make. Give me something extra,” followed by a thumbs up emoji and a folded hands emoji.
When the official asked, “Are you visiting the constituency office or something like that?” he replied, “Yes, that’s what I’m doing.” [folded hands emoji]”
Mileage claims for Senedd members are subject to the member’s approval.
The BBC cannot confirm whether the messages reflect the entire conversation between the parties or their full context.
Ms Jones is currently being investigated by Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain and South Wales Police.
Police investigations are ongoing. No arrests have been made.
Police said the Standards Commissioner, who is responsible for investigating complaints against MS, reported the complaint to police.
The BBC has been told the original complaint against Mr Bain was about Mr Jones’s handling of allegations of bullying by senior staff.
Her expense claims emerged as part of Bain’s investigation.
The Standards Commissioner’s investigation is understood to have been put on hold whilst the police investigation is carried out, and police have spoken to at least one member of Conservative staff.
“Mr Jones has not received any formal complaints of bullying against any staff member,” a lawyer representing Jones said in a statement.
She added that she was “confident that any allegations of misconduct surrounding expenses are entirely misconceptions.”
“Mr Jones believes these complaints submitted to the Standards Commissioner are without merit.”
“As these matters are still under investigation, it would be inappropriate for Mr Jones to comment further.”
“Mr Jones has no problem with the BBC or its sources raising these allegations with the police or the Standards Commissioner and, if requested by the authorities, he will be given the opportunity to respond formally as part of their investigation.”
