Who is Tory Councilor Andrew Edwards?

Welsh Councilor Andrew Edwards has allegedly made racist comments on an audio recording.

Here’s what we know about the Conservative Party Council and what they said about the incident.

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Who is Andrew Edwards?

Andrew Edwards is a Conservative Party Council Member in Pembrokeshire County.

Edwards has represented the community of Haverfordwest Prendergast since May 2022.

The Tories are an opposition group in the Council that has been independently run since 1996.

He is also an acting judge and a freelance hairdresser.

According to the Pembrokeshire County Council Members’ Register of Interests, he is a Freemason, governor of a primary school and licensee of a pub in Swansea.

What is Andrew Edwards accused of?

Edwards allegedly made obnoxious racist comments about ethnic minorities, which were captured on an audio recording.

The man speaking in the clip said he spoke about race before making a series of racial slurs.

It’s unclear when the 16-second recording was made, or the context of the comment and why it was said.

There is glitches in the recording that sound like road noise, suggesting the recording may have taken place in a car.

It also sounds like a small child was present at the time.

The Conservative Party said they are investigating the allegations but stressed Edwards has not been suspended.

What did Andrew Edwards say?

Following the allegations, Edwards released a statement: “I am aware that such serious allegations are being leveled against me.

“For this reason I have referred myself to the Public Services Ombudsman for an independent assessment.

“It is now in the hands of legal experts and the ombudsman. It would be unfair for me to comment on the process.”

He also confirmed that he has left the party in light of the allegations against him.

Pembrokeshire Council released a statement saying: “We are aware that an allegation is being made and have referred the matter to the Ombudsman.

“Further comments would be inappropriate.”