Charity linked to Welsh Conservative leader sponsored trip for politician under investigation

An organization, headed by the recently appointed leader of the Senedd Conservatives, contributed to the expenses for a Welsh politician, who was at the time subject to an investigation regarding his behavior, to attend a religious gathering in the United States. Rhys ab Owen’s suspension from Plaid Cymru’s Senedd group coincided with an invitation from Darren Millar’s Evan Roberts Institute for him to participate in the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC during February. Several weeks subsequently, a report was released detailing that ab Owen had inappropriately touched two women during a drunken evening outing. He later received a two-month ban from the Senedd. The institute stated that it had previously assisted in “sponsor the costs of a number of Welsh politicians” to participate in the breakfast. It further mentioned that the breakfast offered “an important opportunity to promote Wales and our rich Christian heritage”. Millar, serving as the charity’s president, did not provide a response to a request for comment. Russell George, the Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) for Montgomeryshire and the charity’s treasurer, directed BBC Wales to the institute’s official statement. Ab Owen verified that the institute had extended an invitation for him to attend the breakfast. Millar assumed the role of Welsh Conservative leader in the Senedd from Andrew RT Davies less than two weeks prior. He held the position of chief whip when ab Owen undertook his trip. Established in 2013, the Evan Roberts Institute declares its mission is to advance Welsh Christian heritage among individuals from Wales, across the broader UK, and globally. It indicates that its operations are overseen by its three founding trustees, among whom are Millar and George. The majority of its funds are allocated to events. The charity’s financial records for 2023-24 revealed that the institute expended £1,068 for ab Owen’s attendance at the United States National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC in February 2024. The financial statements indicated that it covered the “costs of travel and participation” for ab Owen. The accounts further stated: “This provided the opportunity for a Welsh parliamentarian to participate in the event and share… Wales’ Christian heritage with other participants.” The United States National Prayer Breakfast, which took place on 1 February this year, is an annual event combining religious and bipartisan political elements, having drawn thousands of attendees throughout its history. Ab Owen’s declared register of interests noted his presence in the US from 24 January to 4 February. Ab Owen received a suspension from Plaid Cymru’s Senedd group in November 2022. While the specifics of the complaint against him were not public at that time, BBC Wales had reported that the suspension stemmed from a serious allegation and that he was under investigation by Douglas Bain, the Senedd’s Standards Commissioner. Mr Bain’s inquiry concluded that he had inappropriately touched and used abusive language towards two women during a night out while intoxicated. The investigation concluded in May 2023 but its findings were not made public until March 2024, upon publication by the Senedd’s standards committee. Subsequent to the report, ab Owen was prohibited from the Senedd for a period of two months and was later expelled from Plaid Cymru. He continues to serve as an independent MS for South Wales Central. At the time of ab Owen’s trip to Washington, the committee had been deliberating for several months regarding the conclusions of Mr Bain’s report, endeavoring to reach a decision on the recommended sanction. A significant portion of the committee’s time had been occupied addressing matters presented by ab Owen and his legal counsel. BBC Wales inquired of Millar and George why the institute supported ab Owen’s attendance while he was suspended from his party group, but no response to this query was provided. In a formal statement, the institute declared: “The Evan Roberts Institute has helped to sponsor the costs of a number of Welsh politicians to enable them to participate in the US National Prayer Breakfast in the past, Mr ab Owen is one of them.” It added: “MSs from all political parties in the Senedd have received invitations in recent years.” The statement continued: “The events are attended by thousands of people, including elected representatives and heads of state from other nations, and afford an important opportunity to promote Wales and our rich Christian heritage.” Ab Owen commented: “I was invited by the Evan Roberts Institute to attend the United States National Prayer Breakfast in February 2024 in Washington DC. “Their contribution towards the cost of the trip has been on my member’s register of interest since January 2024.” Rhys ab Owen traveled to the United States while facing unresolved issues domestically. This journey brings forth a fundamental question that remains unanswered: what prompted Darren Millar and Russell George to decide that the institute should support Rhys ab Owen’s trip to the States, given his suspension from his own party group? The decision-making process, including any potential discussions or inquiries, remains unknown. This narrative does not focus on the nature of the event Rhys ab Owen attended. Millar has previously stated that individuals should “get over” his Christian faith. Instead, it concerns whether a charity, overseen by prominent Welsh politicians, made an appropriate choice in inviting an individual to an event and assisting with his expenses.