07/03/2017 BBC Wales Today

Suspended as a counsellor, and now Plaid Cymru in the Assembly,

the party investigates Neil McEvoy, amid a row over bullying.

The timing couldn't be worse, Mr McEvoy's suspension is a blow

I'm not a bully. It's the last thing I am. People I know know that.

The timing couldn't be worse, Mr McEvoy's suspension is a blow

The most polluted street outside London, a warning poor air quality

is a public health crisis, worse than obesity and alcohol.

Home to some exotic creatures, the ?10 million investment

If I go out the fumes are hard to breathe. Sometimes we feel like

prisoners here. Home to some exotic creatures,

the ?10 million investment to expand Folly Farm,

one of Wales most popular Arise Sir Bryn, the opera star

knighted at Buckingham Palace. Plaid Cymru has suspended one

of its Assembly members. Neil McEvoy is already serving

a one-month suspension from his other role as a councillor

in Cardiff, after a panel ruled a comment he made to a council

officer was "bullying behaviour". Mr McEvoy says he hopes to be back

in the party's Assembly group soon. As our political correspondent

Daniel Davies reports. Plaid Cymru Assembly members

on their way to their weekly The main topic of conversation,

what to do about Neil McEvoy? Mr McEvoy is in there addressing

fellow Plaid Cymru AMs. We are not allowed in to

hear what's being said. These group meetings

are always held in private. But we do know that he won't

get unanimous support. Last week a tribunal heard

in the summer of 2015 he referred That comment came after the eviction

of a tenant he'd been supporting, and was deemed to be

bullying an official. First this morning party leader

Leanne Wood removed him from her front bench team,

then, after more than an hour and With Neil McEvoy's agreement

the Plaid Cymru group has decided that he should be temporarily

suspended from the group whilst agreement is sought on a way forward

following recent events. Prior to the group meeting

Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood, had met with Neil McEvoy and took

the decision to remove him from the Shadow Cabinet and withdraw

his portfolio responsibilities. Mr McEvoy's supporters came out

for him at Plaid Cymru's He is a prominent figure

in Cardiff politics, and is poised to lead the campaign

there at me's Council elections. But today he was asked

whether there was pressure I don't think there was pressure,

it was more of a discussion, really. Some sticking points either way,

but I understand their position, So we've agreed, we both agreed,

actually, to temporarily suspend me and, ideally,

readmit me in the future. This afternoon he was back

in the Assembly Chamber asking questions, but whether he'll

continue doing that is a Plaid AM or as an independent AM

remains and resolved. So an eventful day, but this is not

the end of the process for Mr McEvoy? No, this afternoon he was

talking about being suspended for a couple of hours, more likely to be a

couple of weeks. You heard him referring to sticking points with

the party. He doesn't think he has anything to apologise for, he says

the tribunal that suspended him was a farce and he's going to appeal. He

is talking to his lawyers. But since he was suspended there have been

accusations about Mr McEvoy on social media, some of those

accusations have been put in a letter and sent to Leanne Wood by

survivors of domestic abuse and women's groups. There is an

investigation going on, led by the chairman of Plaid Cymru, we are told

that investigation will look at all complaints and evidence about Mr

McEvoy, how long that will take, what conclusion it will come to we

just don't know. This will go on for some time yet. Let's talk about the

timing of this, not good for Plaid Cymru. Not good at all. Mr McEvoy

leads the Plaid Cymru group in Cardiff Council and would have been

a big figure in the election campaign in May. It must be said

that a lot of his opponents find him an abrasive personality, but he has

supporters in Plaid Cymru. He has opponents to who have told the BBC

privately at the conference over the weekend that Leanne Wood should take

action against him. The party has disciplined him in the past, in

2011, four comments he made about a women's group about time. There is

this other investigation going on about him at the moment. The party

will hope that can be wrapped up quite quickly before the election

campaign gets underway proper. Thank you, Daniel Davies.

Air pollution is a "public health crisis" and tackling it is more

of a priority than obesity and alcohol consumption.

That's according to Public Health Wales,

who say air pollution causes the equivalent of 2000

deaths here every year, that's 6% of all deaths recorded.

Wales is also home to the UK's most polluted street outside London,

It's an average morning for the Hardwick family,

but the street they live on in Crumlin is far from average.

The high volume of traffic on Hafodyrynys Road makes this

the most polluted street in the UK outside London.

This machine monitors the level of nitrogen dioxide.

They are installed in areas of high pollution.

Each year roads can breach a fixed limit of 18 times,

so far this year this road has breached that limit 60 times.

Deanna worries about the effects of pollution on her family's health,

He has been given an inhaler for when he's really bad,

It's not something I want for him, I want him to be healthy,

I want him to be able to go out and play without struggling

It makes you feel a bit incompetent as a parent, sometimes.

Deanna tried to sell her house, but she didn't have a single

She is among half of the homeowners on her side of the street

that wanted the council to buy their houses

Caerphilly council says it recognises the air quality

problems on the street, and is developing an action

That a pollution isn't just a problem here.

The health effects of a pollution are varied.

In the short term we are talking about eye, nose and throat

irritation primarily, but long-term, more serious

consequences particularly on the heart, lungs and a pollution

has been associated with increased risk of cancer and other

68-year-old Dawn Howells also lives on Hafodyrynys Road.

She suffers from chest problems and the traffic on the street means

When I go out the front all the fumes and everything it's

Sometimes we feel like prisoners here.

Smoking is probably the number one public health priority,

air pollution comes second to that, if you talk about obesity,

inactivity, and alcohol, they come, actually behind air pollution.

This is a public health crisis, and we need to act now.

That call was echoed in the Senedd today.

Will you agree to hosting a summit to make sure that progress can be

made on this agenda item so that we can see genuine

improvements across Wales, but, importantly, improvements to make

sure we do not continue to see the number of people dying from poor

The Welsh government says they are committed to reducing

emissions and a pollution across Wales, they say they'll

publish their response to a recent consultation

I'm sure people say why did you live there and have children,

We shouldn't have to choose between having a family or where we live.

You know, we should be able to have a healthy

Deanna Hardwick ending that report by India Pollock.

And you can see more on this story on Week in Week Out,

tonight at 10:40 here on BBC One Wales.

The trial of a 58-year-old man charged with the murder and rape

of a Flintshire schoolgirl more than 40 years ago

15-year-old Janet Commins' body was found in a school

Stephen Anthony Hough denies the charges against him.

It's emerged that a former nurse at Glangwili hospital

in Carmarthenshire who was fined for breaching the Data Protection

Act had illegally accessed more than 3,000 confidential medical

records, including those of colleagues.

63-year-old Elaine Lewis, from Llansteffan, was sacked

by Hywel Dda Health Board who sent letters to all those involved last

The MP for Wrexham, Ian Lucas, says he's been told experts

at the new prison there can help in the battle against

Last night on Wales Today, we showed these pictures taken

at Wrexham bus station and posted on social media by a driver.

They appear to show people high on drugs.

Mr Lucas says there needs to be better co-operation

between the police, local council and other agencies.

The pictures are shocking, but it's no surprise. This is an issue that's

been going on for a considerable period. I've discussed this

personally with the Lord Chancellor and asked her to ask the new prison

just outside Wrexham to work with agencies in the town and the local

police to help inform aspect about this horrible problem that is

destroying people's lives and our local community.

Anglesey Council have been told their care and support services

for vulnerable children "must be improved".

Inspectors found workers were not always suitably qualified

or experienced to protect children and families.

The authority says it'll make significant improvements.

Wales could lead the charge against cyber crime.

That's the message tonight from the man in charge of keeping

Britain safe against cyber attacks for GCHQ, one of the government's

Helping companies avoid hacks and data breaches

Here's our business correspondent Brian Meechan.

More and more data is being created all the time. Companies and

organisations hold financial details, health information,

shopping habits and more. When used properly adapt to our convenience,

but it's always under threat from attack. Work is already going on to

that. Cardiff born Paul Pritchard just is at the forefront of

protecting this information as a senior figure at one of the

Government's intelligence agencies, GCHQ.

-- Paul Chichester. The Digital economy will be absolutely at the

heart of the UK's future. So investing in young talent and skills

and investing in the future, that's what we are short of in the UK.

Wales, by leading that charge, could create a huge opportunity for

itself. Companies are responsible for making

sure the information they hold on as is kept safely. There are plenty of

opportunities for businesses in this growing sector with the UK market

for cyber security in 2017 estimated to be ?3.4 billion. 24% of companies

experience one or more breaches over a 12 month period. That is likely to

be underreported. Large businesses are a particular target with 65%

having breaches over the same period. This data storage centre in

Newport is the biggest in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Each floor

is large enough for three jumbo jets to fully rotate.

This is a small data all. This is the kind of place where businesses,

large firms or multinationals can store information in a high security

environment. It's grown to 60 employees.

Many data centres that are in and around London are more expensive,

but also exposed to the Metro risk profile of the City of London. Here

in Wales we have a large 50 acre campus where we can take

extraordinary security measures to make the building defensible. We've

got good elbow room around the site and it creates a cost-effective

location for people to put their equipment.

At Cardiff University they been undertaking research for

organisations including BLE PD and the Metropolitan Police. Academics

say stopping hackers is getting harder.

-- LAPD. It's becoming more targeted. You've got the online

social networks where you have literally billions of people

connected together which provides an ideal environment for cybercriminals

who want to reach out to potential targets. It is very difficult to

manage that because of the scale. Recent high-profile attacks such as

against Talk Talk hit reputations and finances and can cause huge

damage to customers. Wales seems in a good position to further develop

technology and skills to combat current debts and future ones.

You're watching Wales Today, stay with us.

I'm here at Folly Farm in Narberth where plans to build a holiday

village have been approved with ?10 million set to be invested here.

Certain one good Jones, for services to music.

Sir Bryn at Buckingham palace, knighted by the Queen.

in the House of Commons delivering his budget.

It's expected he'll say Britain needs to be Brexit-ready,

with an emphasis on improving productivity and skills.

Let's speak to our Parliamentary correspondent , David Cornock.

David, what should we be looking out for?

I know you can't contain your excitement.

Well, when Philip Hammond emerges from number 11 Downing St tomorrow

lunchtime he is expected to confirm that they will not be a spending

freeze, so if the Welsh government is hoping for an end to austerity

and fat cheques coming down the M4 they are likely to be disappointed.

But Mr Hammond has been under pressure to do more to help some

public services that are under strain. We know they will be more

money for some schools in England, and that means they will be extra

cash for the Welsh government to spend as it sees fit. Ministers in

Cardiff Bay will also be looking to see what Mr Hammond manages to find

to help with social care problems in England, that would generate cash

but the Welsh government can spend as it sees fit. Mr Hammond is known

as a flamboyant Chancellor, he is known as spreadsheet failed. But he

set pulses racing in Swansea last week when he appeared to suggest

that a city deal could bring investment and jobs and it could be

concluded by budget day. The council leader in Swansea, Ian Stuart, as

said that he thinks it's ready to go. So tonight the Conservative MP

for Gower has said that it is a muddle, and it needs sorting out. So

you may not expect, you may get warm words tomorrow about the Swansea

city regional deal, but as far as a decisive definitive announcement is

concerned, well, that may have to wait for another day. We will chat

It's one of Wales' biggest tourism attractions,

Final planning approval has been granted to build a ?10 million

holiday village at Folly Farm near Narberth in Pembrokeshire

with visitors able to stay alongside the park's exotic attractions.

Folly Farm started from very humble beginnings.

It was originally a farm diversification project,

after the introduction of milk quotas in 1984.

Visitors could get a tasty of country life.

But it's now a multi million pound business with some exotic

attractions and it's one of Wales's most popular paid for attractions,-

And it's set to become a whole lot bigger.

We got a bird's eye view of what's planned.

This field with the sheep on will be our tooling park which will be a

5-star Tooling Park with all the hook necessary.

Pembrokeshire Council has given final approval for a ?10 million

pound investment that will create a new themed holiday

There'll be lodges, caravans and tents, as well as new visitor

facilities for short and medium stays.

The development had to be approved by the Full Council

because it was a departure from the local development plan.

The Council says it will bring wider economic benefits that will enhance

the appeal of the attraction around the year.

We've grown over the years from a day visitor attraction, which now

you can spend two, maybe even three days here. They will be unique

developments that we will build into the concept as well. I think it's an

exciting oppose oil which will be uniquely placed in our county and I

don't think anyone else will be positioned to do anything like this

anywhere in the UK. -- unique proposal. Around 180 people are

employed here and it hoped it could bring in new jobs. They will also be

work for local construction firms. Bluestone near Narberth also has

plans to expand by 2018, by creating a new sky dome

at its luxury resort. It's also hoping to transform

the disused Black Pool Mill as a new tourism attraction,

with the promise of 300 extra jobs Despite the economic

uncertainties of Brexit, tourism experts say there

are opportunities for further growth in Pembrokeshire The new holiday

village will be built over the next With Brexit and the and low meaning

that overseas visitors will visit written and Wales, it's a great

opportunity for us to grasp that. Staycations were reported as being

at the last year and I think providing the weather improves we

have a good chance of getting even more people to stay at home again

this year and visit Pembrokeshire. The new holiday village will be

built in the next few years, cementing Folly Farm's position as a

big player in the tourism industry. A group of climbers had to be

rescued this morning from a perilously steep

ridge in Snowdonia. Members of Llanberis Mountain Rescue

team were winched down by helicopter to help the three climbers,

who'd got into difficulty on Crib Goch, after one man fell

and injured his shoulder. The majority of Powys councillors

have voted in favour of maintaining a Welsh language stream at Brecon

high school. It had been recommended to turn it to an English medium

school only. Parents oppose the plan. Today's wrote is not a final

decision, that rests with the Cabinet which meets next week. If

this goes ahead you have situation where you have more who are will go

across the road from the Welsh medium primary school to Brecon high

school, and they will go along and access the English team there rather

than taking up and continuing their Welsh medium education.

Cardiff City Football Club has reported an annual loss of almost

?10 million having made a profit of almost ?4 million

Gate receipts, broadcasting, sponsorship and advertising

revenues were all down, but players wages and salaries

The Bluebirds travel to Blackburn in the Championship tonight.

The Welsh Rugby Union is cancelling around 200 tickets

for Friday's Six Nations match against Ireland because they've

been sold on for profit by unofficial providers.

The Union says anyone who has bought a ticket

from a source other than itself, a Welsh rugby club, Seatwave,

Events International or Gulliver's Sports Travel should

He's regarded as one of the world's greatest bass baritones,

but today Sir Bryn Terfel was the star of the show

He was at Buckingham Palace to collect his

It was announced in the New Year Honours that he would receive

Our arts and media correspondent Huw Thomas was at the Palace.

Sir Bryn Terfel on stage, an icon of Aldeburgh and a voice that earned

royal recognition. This was its performance at a gala concert last

year. Sir Bryn Terfel Jones, for services to music. Today he was back

in the same glamorous surroundings of the palace ballroom, not to sing

this time, but to meet the Queen and from bended knee to arise Sir Bryn

Terfel. Congratulations, can we see the award you got today? It's still

surreal. Already I see a knighthood brings a certain significance to

what you do in your daily routine as a musician.

It helps, I guess, to promote Wales, even more than I have done in the

past. And that will propel me forwards to the future.

With his partner, the harpist Hannah Stone, he is expecting a baby next

month, but today was a chance to reflect.

A fantastic time of year and Hannah was here today, but we were only

supposed to bring three people and I brought forth. It's wonderful to see

my boys and Hannah here. So Sir Bryn Terfel joins an elite

club, but it wasn't just his singing ability that brought him here today

but his broader impact on nurturing young singers in Wales and beyond.

On stage he is an imposing presence, but behind-the-scenes he's nurtured

young talent, finding tuition fees through his foundation and

supporting singers with the Sir Bryn Terfel scholarship on the Eisteddfod

stage where he learned his craft. From the beginning Sir Bryn Terfel

showed exceptional talent, here winning the song prize at the

Cardiff Singer of the world in 1989. That competition returns this year,

and its patron has praised Sir Bryn Terfel's inspirational journey. He's

been a great ambassador for Wales and for opera. He's a wonderful

character, Claudius, Claudius Rice. He does an amazing job. From

counterblast to the Palace, Sir Bryn Terfel is one of the world's leading

bass baritones and joins a distinguished band of Singh night

did for their excellence. Is the weather

anything to celebrate? Some heavy rain tonight, milder

tomorrow with further rain for some of us. We had this window of dry

fine weather earlier but they cloud from this front and heavy rain

coming in from the south-west at night. Tonight, outbreaks of rain

pushing in from the south-west, will north eastwards through the night.

Heavy at times but not as cold as last night. Between six and eight

Celsius. This system bringing rain overnight has a trailing weather

front tomorrow waving back and forth, bringing more rain before it

eventually clears south-eastwards. The best of any dry weather tomorrow

in the north, but bad band of rain lingering across much of South and

mid Wales, before it eventually starts to clear south-eastwards in

the afternoon leaving a few lingering showers. Brighter spells

later, more likely further north. South-westerly winds bring in warmer

air. Slightly milder tomorrow. Now, tomorrow night that patchy drizzle,

mist and Merck, more likely to linger in the south but dry in the

North with clear spells. Not a cold night at six to nine Celsius. We

keep those milder south-westerly winds into Thursday with a window of

dry weather for a time before another friend brings in rain from

the south-west by Thursday night. Not a bad day for most of Wales on

Thursday, largely dry, breezy, but feeling mild. Pleasantly warm in the

sunshine. Temperatures into the teens along the marches. The

changeable weather continues later in the week, some rain with some

brighter spells too. Remaining mild into the weekend.

I just want to update you on a developing story tonight. Within the

last half an hour the UK Government has suffered another defeat in the

House of Lords over the process of leaving the EU. Peers have voted for

an amendment to the Brexit bill which called for Parliament to be

given a meaningful vote on a final deal. We will have an update at TPM.

That's Wales Today, from all of us here, good evening.

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, presents the first Budget of 2017.