A CONSERVATIVE politician is being investigated over racist comments after allegedly saying “all white men should have a black slave”.
Andrew Edwards, who serves as a county councillor in Pembrokeshire, Wales, is also accused of saying black people are of “lower class” than white people.
It comes after a clip emerged online and Edwards has now referred himself to the Public Services ombudsman.
The Conservative group on Pembrokeshire County confirmed it was investigating the allegations although Edwards, who is also a school governor, has not been suspended.
The party’s leader in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, called the comments “disgraceful, abhorrent” views that were “not shared by the Welsh Conservatives”.
On the recording, published by Nation Cymru, Edwards can be 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.”
It is not known when the clip was recorded and Edwards, who represents the Haverfordwest Prendergast ward, would not confirm whether 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 had received a self-referral.
A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire 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.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Labour group said: “The views contained within this recording are disgusting.
“Racism has absolutely no place in our society, let alone in the views expressed by an elected member on Pembrokeshire County Council.”
