Councillor allegedly said 'white people should own black slaves'

Councillor Andrew Edwards is alleged to have said that black people are 'lower class than white people'.

Welsh councillor Andrew Edwards allegedly said ‘white people should own black slaves’ Pembrokeshire County Council

A Conservative Party councillor is being investigated after being accused of making racist comments about black people.

Welsh councillor Andrew Edwards is alleged to have said all white men should own black slaves.

Opposition politicians said they recognised Mr Edward’s voice in a 16-second audio recording published by Welsh news service Nation Cymru.

In the clip, a voice is heard saying: “Nothing wrong with the skin colour at all.

“I think all white men should have a black man as a slave or black woman as a slave, you know.

“There’s nothing wrong with skin colour, it’s just that they’re lower class than us white people.”

The source of the clip is unknown and it’s not clear when or where it was recorded.

Edwards, councillor for the Haverfordwest Prendergast ward, did not deny the recording was of him.

He said: “I am aware of such serious allegations being made against me.

“This is why I have self-referred to the Public Services Ombudsman for an independent evaluation.

“It is now in the hands of legal experts and the ombudsman.

“It would be unfair on the process for me to comment.”

The ombudsman’s office confirmed it has received Edward’s self-referral.

The Conservative Party also confirmed it will carry out its own investigation into the allegations against the local politician.

Edwards remains a member of the party but has left the council group.

The Pembrokeshire Labour group said: “The views contained within this recording are disgusting.”

They added: “Racism has absolutely no place in our society, let alone in the views expressed by an elected member on Pembrokeshire County Council.”

Pembrokeshire County Council said: “We are aware of an allegation being made and have referred the matter to the ombudsman. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”

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