Police stop investigating minister over 'racist' flyer for travelers

Gwent Police have verified the contents of a leaflet sent by David T. S. Davis to voters in his Monmouth constituency. Credit: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images Europe

Police have dropped their investigation into a cabinet minister who was accused of posting a 'racist' leaflet about a planned destination for travelers, reports The Telegraph.

The Gwent police said they «won't take any action.» further action» against David T. S. Davies, Minister for Wales, after considering the leaflet as «a potential non-crime hate incident».

The Force was criticized for its rush to take action against about the complaints that were initiated by a charity funded by the Welsh Labor government.

Carl Williams, her chief superintendent, told The Telegraph that he chose not to. launch a full investigation of the case after discussing it with the prosecution.

He said: «We have begun reviewing the content of a leaflet published and distributed in Monmouthshire regarding proposals for the development of a site for gypsies and travelers.

» The officers spoke to several gypsies and travelers. and settled communities before contacting the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for advice on whether the contents of the leaflet contain any offences.

«Any allegation of discrimination is taken very seriously and we will not take any further action after this review.»

Controversy over non-crime incidents of hate has re-emerged

This case has re-ignited controversy about police investigating and reporting non-crime hate incidents and the risk that this represents a chilling effect on freedom of expression.

Swella Braverman, the Home Secretary, notified the chief constables in England. and Wales with new guidance directing them to use more «common sense».

Rules published in June state that non-crime incidents of hate «should only be reported if it is considered proportionate and necessary to do so in order to reduce the real risk of harm.”

She advised the forces not to hear cases just because «someone is offended», after 120,000 such incidents have been reported in the last five years.

Elder Tories have publicly defended the Welsh Minister, including Oliver Dowden, Deputy Prime Minister, who insisted the leaflet was not «racist».

Gwent Police announced last Tuesday that they were looking into the contents of a leaflet Mr. Davies sent out to voters in his constituency Monmouth.< /p> The leaflet was distributed in Monmouth.

The flyer was titled “A website for gypsies and travelers coming soon to your area! and asked the residents: «Would you like to have a playground for travelers near your house?» Council for Labor.

The Welsh Secretary did not object to the creation of such sites and insisted that the leaflet «is not a criticism of the Gypsy and travel community.»

Travel Gypsy advocacy project ahead and a Roma in Wales said he had filed a complaint against the leaflet, which he called «unacceptable».

Trudy Aspinwall, a project manager at the service, suggested that the material was «racist» and complained that it was «aimed at gypsies and travelers.»

TGP Cymru, the charity that runs the group, received £1.46m in grants last year and has admitted to being «over-reliant» on the Welsh Labor government.< /p>