DAVID CAMERON and Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan have been challenged to explain their roles in the defection of Plaid Cymru AM Mohammad Asghar to the Conservatives following his admission that he wanted to give his daughter a job.
Mr Asghar quit Plaid after he was told by party leader Ieuan Wyn Jones that he could not recruit his daughter Natasha as a press officer. The party had earlier decided to ban its elected politicians from employing family members.
Jonathan Edwards, Plaid’s parliamentary candidate for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, said: “Ever since the expenses scandal we have had David Cameron playing the morality card saying that his party would fully comply with the Kelly recommendations However, at the defection press launch Cheryl Gillan was present.
“Cameron cannot therefore merely wipe his hands and deflect blame onto the Tory leader in the National Assembly, as a member of his front bench was clearly involved in the whole affair.
“The people of Wales and the UK deserve answers from Mr Cameron and Ms Gillan. Was David Cameron informed of the reason for the defection by the Shadow Secretary of State for Wales?
“Who in the Shadow Cabinet sanctioned the defection on the basis that Mr Asghar would be allowed to employ his daughter?”
The Conservative Party did not respond.
