Nicky joins panel at conference

6 December 2021

Nicky Ryan has called for the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) to be involved in any debate around the devolution of justice in Wales.

Nicky, the PFEW Welsh lead, said it was vital the Federation was included in the conversation so that the voice of 7,500 officers in Wales could be heard.

“The Federation remains neutral on the issue of whether justice should be devolved in Wales,” said Nicky.

“However, we need to be included in that debate. It’s absolutely vital that the voice of police officers, who form a cornerstone of the criminal justice system in Wales, is heard, and is heard loud and clearly.

“We need to be sitting at the table and be part of the conversation.”

Nicky was speaking during a Justice in Wales panel event at the Welsh Justice and Policing Conference.

The conference was to discuss the state of justice in Wales two years after the publication of the report by the Commission on Justice in Wales. The commission recommended that justice should be devolved in Wales.

During the panel event, Nicky also called for the Federation to be invited to attend meetings of four key strategic boards – the Policing Board of Wales, the Policing Partnerships Board, the Community Safety Board and the All Wales Criminal Justice Board.

“It’s really important that we are involved in these important board meetings,” she said.

The panel event was chaired by Anna McMorrin, the Welsh Labour MP for Cardiff North. Nicky was joined by Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd and the Plaid Cymru leader in the House of Commons; Elfyn Llwyd, the former Plaid Cymru MP for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and former chair of the All-Party Justice Unions Group; and Mick Antoniw, the Member of the Senedd (MS) for Pontypridd and the Counsel General for Wales.

“It was really good to be part of this event,,” said Nicky, “It’s right that we contribute on behalf of our members.”