THE LEADER of Pembrokeshire’s Conservative group has said it will support a fellow Tory county councillor who received threats after raising a local constituency concern.
The county has witnessed a significant increase in incidents of horses being left on public land and highways – known as fly-grazing.
Concerns have been raised many times around the Pembroke and surrounding area, with Pembroke Monkton county councillor Cllr Jonathan Grimes taking to social media over the weekend to highlight residents’ concerns.
His ongoing work on the issue was picked up in the local press over the weekend, leading to the editor of the Pembrokeshire Herald newspaper Tom Sinclair saying he has received threats for reporting on the issue, directed at both him and Cllr Grimes.
Cllr Grimes, who said he had previously had a window smashed before Christmas, said the threats to him had been reported to police, adding: “I’m trying to represent my residents as best I can but it’s extremely frustrating; the police are frustrated, they need the council to do something before they can enforce it.”
Conservative group member Cllr Grimes added: “I’m trying to do what I can to help the community and yet there’s threats and intimidation; we had the recent anniversary of David Amess [MP for Southend West murdered in 2021] he went to his surgery and didn’t come home that night.”
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received reports concerning threats made against two individuals on Sunday, February 23. Safeguarding advice has been provided to the two individuals and enquiries are ongoing.”
Speaking after the threats were made public, Conservative group leader Cllr Di Clements said: “’We take all threats to any elected member very seriously. Their personal safety is of paramount importance.
“As a democratically elected councillor, Jon should be able to carry out his duties on behalf of his constituents without fear. We will support Cllr Grimes to continue to do that.”
