The councillor says he is diabetic and had to eat
A councillor has been criticised for being “disrespectful” to the victims of a paedophile headteacher after he started eating a meal during a council meeting.
Neil Foden, the headteacher of Ysgol Friars in Bangor and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, had for years escaped any consequences for his offending despite numerous concerns and 52 missed opportunities to stop him.
These were highlighted in a damning report following a Child Practice Review. It finally ended in 2023 when a claim of sexual assault was made by a child and Foden arrested. Last year he was jailed for 17 years after being convicted of 19 charges involving four girls.
Cambridge-based abuse law specialist Andrew Grove and Co Solicitors is suing the council on behalf of 22 victims aged between 15 and 58.
At a meeting of Gwynedd council on December 4, a notice of motion was put forward by Councillor Beca Brown which called on the council’s cabinet to look at what further independent investigations are needed to address matters outside the boundaries of the Child Practice Review.
During the agenda item, which started about three hours into the meeting, Cllr Edwards, who represents Llandderfel, is seen eating a meal.
WalesOnline was contacted by someone who said his actions showed “contempt for the victims”.
The Plaid Cymru councillor Elwyn Edwards told the Cambrian News he had eaten mid-meeting because he is diabetic. “I have to eat regularly,” he said.
“Disrespectful? That’s bloody ridiculous,” he told Cambrian News. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
“There’s a vendetta against me,” he said. “Someone in the [Plaid Cymru] party or my group [on council] is out to stitch me up,” he said.
“I have my dinner at 12 and my supper at 5 every day,” he said. “Yes I did eat it during the council meeting. I was paying attention all the time.”
Cambrian News pointed out that the recording of the meeting showed he did leave the meeting for a short period about three hours into the meeting. “Yes,” he said. “I did. I went to get my food and it was prepared and on a plate.”
“I was paying full attention,” he said.
“Look, I’ve heard all of this stuff [about Foden] many time before and I’ve listened to the women and what they’ve said and I heard it earlier in the day too,” he said.
Plaid Cymru Gwynedd chairperson, Cllr Gwynfor Owen told the Cambrian News: “Cllr Elwyn Edwards has the utmost respect and compassion to the sensitive discussions at Cyngor Gwynedd last week.
“He has apologised if his actions appeared disrespectful. Due to his health issues as a diabetic person, it was important he ate, so he could continue to listen and participate fully at the council meeting.”
WalesOnline has contacted both Cllr Owen and Cllr Edwards for any further comment.
