Police have formally apologised to Assembly Member Leanne Wood for issuing incorrect information to the media following her criticism of their handling of a demonstration.
South Wales Police have admitted using a controversial containment tactic to hold anti-fascist protesters in Cardiff city centre after initially issuing a public denial.
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Croft told Ms Wood a breakdown in communication led to an incorrect statement being issued.
In a letter to the Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central, he apologised for any potential embarrassment caused.
But he added the tactic, known as kettling, had been used properly to prevent disorder when Unite Against Fascism staged a counter demonstration against an English Defence League (EDL) protest in June.
Ms Wood said: “I welcome the apology from South Wales Police as its media statement contradicted my experience and that of hundreds of other anti-fascist protesters.
“I remain unconvinced about the need to deploy the containment tactics as the anti-fascist protesters conducted themselves peacefully and showed no sign of aggression.
“The mere presence of the EDL and their hate-fuelled agenda posed a far bigger threat to law and order.”
Ms Wood had complained about the forced detaining of anti-fascists within an area ringed by a steel barrier at one end and a line of police officers at the other near City Hall on June 5.
Days later, the force said that at no stage had it used containment tactics.
After Ms Wood wrote to the force asking them to rectify the misinformation, South Wales Police decided to treat the issue as an official complaint.
The complaint was upheld following an internal inquiry.
Mr Croft said: “South Wales Police has dealt with Ms Wood’s complaint in an open and transparent way. Areas for improvement have been identified, and I felt it right and proper to apologise for an inaccurate press release.
“Overall, the event passed off very peacefully, which cannot be said for other similar demonstrations elsewhere in the UK. This was an extremely challenging day for South Wales Police and I believe our officers did a good job.
“I agreed with Leanne Wood from an early stage that lessons should and would be learnt. We have amended our strategies and tactics to reflect the lessons learned.
“We must not forget a public order ground commander appears to have made a decision in good faith that was intended to protect protesters from risk of serious harm.
“The public has a right to be protected from harm and containing protesters in order to prevent a confrontation will always be a tactic which can be used by the police.”
He added: “Ms Wood also comments that she remains unconvinced about the need to deploy the containment tactic. South Wales Police has evidence which shows that a considerable number of UAF demonstrators were intent on some sort of confrontation.”
Wales Online
