WELSH SECRETARY Alun Cairns has resigned over claims he knew about a former aide’s role in the “sabotage” of a rape trial. He had denied knowing Tory assembly candidate Ross England made claims about the victim’s sexual history in an April 2018 trial.
The Conservative Vale of Glamorgan MP said he only became aware of Mr England’s role in the trial’s collapse when the story broke last week.
BBC Wales discovered Mr Cairns was emailed about it in August 2018, which was four months before Mr England was chosen as Vale of Glamorgan candidate.
Paul Davies AM told The Herald: “I am sorry to see Alun resign today as the Secretary of State for Wales however, under the circumstances this was the right decision for him. Alun has rightly stated that he will cooperate fully with any investigations.
“I would like to thank Alun for his service to Wales as our Secretary of State where he brought an end to the Severn Bridge tolls which will leave a lasting legacy on the Welsh economy.”
Mr Cairns had been a cabinet member since being appointed in 2016. Mr Cairns intends to run as a candidate in the general election, the Herald understands.
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