By Victoria Mckeown-
A former North Wales police chief who claimed that the murder of Southend MP, Sir David Amess was caused by the British government sowing hate and division has been asked to explain his comments.
Arfon Jones, former Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Police, tweeted that the death of the MP was “what happens when you have a Government that sows hate, fear and division”.
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On Friday, Mr Jones, a former Plaid Cymru councillor for Wrexham County Borough Council, tweeted @ArfonJ: “Unfortunately this is what happens when you have a Government that divides and rules and sows hate, fear and division. Someone, somewhere will respond violently.”
But within a few hours, at 5.31pm on Friday, Mr Jones tweeted an apology.
He posted: “I wish to apologise for my earlier tweet, it was untimely and insensitive. What I was trying to express was concern about the toxic nature of our political discourse and the tragic consequences of such toxicity.”
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Despite the apology, former police chief has been asked by this publication to explain his provocative comments, after a backclash on social media, and a number of people took him seriously and believed his comments.
Many found his comments offensive, given his former high position which would give the impression he had good reasons to make the comments he did.
Mr Jones later apologised calling his tweet “untimely and insensitive”
However, an action said to be untimely doesn’t mean it is wrong, but simply means the timing of the comment was wrong and unsuitable. Insensitive, a she says.
Conservative MP Sir David Amees, 69, was killed during a surgery for constituents in Leigh-on-Sea in Southend West on Friday.
Counter-terrorism police have been investigating the murder, whilst a 25-year-old man remains in police custody.
On Friday, Mr Jones, a former Plaid Cymru councillor for Wrexham County Borough Council, tweeted @ArfonJ: “Unfortunately this is what happens when you have a Government that divides and rules and sows hate, fear and division. Someone, somewhere will respond violently.”
But within a few hours, at 5.31pm on Friday, Mr Jones tweeted an apology.
He posted: “I wish to apologise for my earlier tweet, it was untimely and insensitive. What I was trying to express was concern about the toxic nature of our political discourse and the tragic consequences of such toxicity.”
David Jones, Conservative MP for Clwyd West, condemned the original tweet by Mr Jones.
He told North Wales Live: “I think Arfon Jones has just underlined why he should not have any public office ever again.
“He clearly lacks all judgement of the kind that’s needed by political representatives and I think that in future he’s probably best advised not to trouble the rest of us with his toxic opinions.”
David Jones, who described Sir David Amess as “one of the best loved MPs, right across the House (of Commons)”, added that he would be going to a special service in his memory at St Margaret’s Church, next to Westminster Abbey, tomorrow afternoon.
But the Clwyd West MP insisted that he would not be changing his own security arrangements in the aftermath of the MP’s sudden death.
He said: “I personally feel that there are risks but other people face risks – obviously police officers, but also teachers, nurses and doctors – and everybody has to weigh up the risks.
“I will not be changing my working practices. I will continue to want to see constituents face to face. That’s what I was elected to do, and I think other MPs will do the same.”
Conservative MP Sir David AmessThe Conservative MP for Aberconwy Robin Millar said on Facebook that he was “shocked and saddened” by the death of Sir David.
He called him “one of the kindest men in British politics” and said he was regarded “with the highest esteem for his almost 40 years of committee work, dedication to constituents and experience”.
He also pledged to remain “accessible”.
Arfon Jones had a long career in the North Wales Police, becoming Operational Inspector for the eastern division before retiring in 2008. … He did not seek re-election in the May 2021 election.
Arfon Jones is originally from Harlech and now lives in Gwersyllt, Wrexham with his wife Gwenfair. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.
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