Former Welsh Secretary David TC Davies has accepted a new role as a senior advisor to Laura Anne Jones, a Member of the Senedd (MS) facing controversy over her expenses, as reported by Wales Online. Davies, who previously served in Rishi Sunak’s cabinet and lost his Monmouthshire seat in July, will now be providing guidance to Jones, who represents South East Wales.
According to BBC Wales, Laura Anne Jones is currently under police investigation following allegations related to her expenses. The investigation was initiated by a referral from the Senedd standards commissioner, Douglas Bain. Text messages from Jones’ phone instructed a staff member to manipulate petrol expenses. In response, Jones’ solicitor stated that any allegations of impropriety surrounding expenses are unfounded.
In addition to the expenses controversy, Laura Anne Jones has also apologised for using a racist slur in a WhatsApp group chat. She described her use of the term as “unacceptable” and expressed regret for the incident. Jones, a Conservative MS for South Wales East, is under ongoing investigation by the police.
Former Welsh Secretary David TC Davies shared on LinkedIn his eagerness to return to the Senedd after 17 years. During the summer recess, he worked as a consultant, focusing on legislative influence. Davies mentioned that this role was less stressful than his prior position as a cabinet minister.
With discussions about a potential comeback in the 2026 Senedd elections, Davies, along with other former Welsh Conservative MPs, may re-enter the political arena in Wales. The upcoming elections are expected to expand the Senedd’s membership from 60 to 96 seats. This development hints at a dynamic political landscape in Wales in the coming years.