Welsh Secretary David TC Davies is accused of stoking ‘hostility’ against Travellers (Picture: Rex/WNS)
A campaign leaflet issued by a Cabinet minister is being reviewed by police following claims it used discriminatory language against Travellers.
Leaflets sent out by the office of David TC Davies, the Welsh secretary, to his constituents in Monmouthshire raised concerns around potential Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites nearby.
Headlined ‘Gypsy and Traveller site coming to your area soon!’, it asks: ‘Would you like to see a Traveller site next to your house?’
An advocacy group accused Mr Davies of stoking ‘hostility’ towards the groups.
Mabon ap Gwynfor, a Plaid Cymru member of the Welsh Senedd, said the leaflet ‘borders on racism’ and that Roma people are ‘the community that has been most persecuted’ in the UK.
Mr Davies accused the Labour-controlled council of trying to set up Traveller sites without giving enough say to local people.
A public consultation on the matter is being held, but the MP claims the fact it’s taking place in the summer months means ‘many residents will be unable to participate’.
Advocates said the leaflet was ‘disproportionate and hostile’ (Picture: Wales News Service)
The leaflet includes a form inviting people to give their views about the establishment of new sites.
The small print says the Conservative Party would consensually use their information ‘inside and outside election periods’, suggesting the responses could be used for future campaigning on issues involving Travellers.
Trudy Aspinwall, of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller service Travelling Ahead, said some people who received the leaflet were ‘horrified’ by it.
She said: ‘They were upset, angry and worried that pieces of land that could become Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites could be viewed with hostility and any piece of land that might end up as a home for Gypsy or Traveller people would be subject to this kind of high level discrimination and hostility.
‘We do not have an issue with a public consultation. However, this was a disproportionate and hostile response which is targeted at the race and ethnicity and the implied prejudice of Gypsies and Travellers.
Police are considering whether to open a criminal investigation (Picture: Rex)
‘The effect it has on Gypsies and Travellers is to make them feel like they are not wanted anywhere and that they are not part of the community.’
Allison Hulmes, co-founder of the Romani and Traveller Social Work Community Group, added: ‘We feel like the environment is particularly hostile off the back of the new criminal legislation, so when we see this from MPs who are there to set the values who we would look to for protection, it makes us feel scared, it’s so depressing.
‘Because our populations are so small and only a few of us are prepared to speak out – and we understand why this is – it’s just exhausting. It reinforces to us that we are hated.’
Detective Inspector Steve Thomas of Gwent Police said: ‘Officers are reviewing the content of the leaflet and its impact on the Gypsy and traveller and settled communities in Monmouthshire.
‘We take any allegation of discrimination extremely seriously and we’re committed to ensuring our communities are safe places and welcoming for all.’
Mr Davies has been approached for comment. In a statement to the BBC, he said: ‘The location of authorised and unauthorised traveller sites is a legitimate matter for public debate and scrutiny.
‘It is entirely valid to criticise a lack of wide public consultation by a council.
‘I have been contacted by many upset residents at the shortness of the consultation and the proposed locations for the sites.
‘I have also been told that many from the Gypsy and traveller community are also upset at the proposed locations for the sites. This is not a criticism of the Gypsy and traveller community.’
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David TC Davies was accused of stoking ‘hostility’ towards minorities after sending out a leaflet attacking plans for new Traveller sites.