FOUR members of Cyngor Gwynedd’s cabinet have resigned following council leader Dyfrig Siencyn’s initial refusal to apologise to victims of convicted paedophile headteacher Neil Foden.
Foden, who was headteacher at Ysgol Friars in Bangor and strategic head at Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually abusing four children between 2019 and 2023. However, a BBC Wales investigation suggests Foden may have been abusing pupils since 1979.
The controversy surrounding the council’s response to the scandal erupted after Siencyn resisted calls for an apology during an interview with Newyddion S4C. The council leader eventually apologised late on Friday afternoon, stating he was sorry for “all those who suffered” and would reflect on his leadership over the weekend.
In a statement received at 4:18 pm today, Siencyn said: “I sincerely apologise to all those who have suffered at the hands of sex offender Neil Foden and would wish to reassure the people of Gwynedd, and in particular the victims, that I and my fellow councillors are determined to leave no stone unturned to establish what went wrong and to ensure this can never be allowed to happen again.”
Siencyn also confirmed that he had requested an independent review of all council processes related to safeguarding, alongside the ongoing statutory Child Practice Review (CPR), which he emphasised is independent of the council. He expressed support for a public inquiry in light of additional allegations about Foden revealed in a BBC programme earlier this week.
Despite Siencyn’s eventual apology and calls for an inquiry, four Plaid Cymru councillors—Becca Brown, Berwyn Parry Jones, Dafydd Meurig, and Elin Walker Jones—resigned from the cabinet, distancing themselves from his earlier remarks. In a joint statement, they voiced their full support for a public inquiry and stood in solidarity with the victims.
“We stand with the victims,” the councillors said. “We deeply regret that the council’s leadership issues have drawn attention away from what is most important in this tragic situation – namely the suffering of the victims.”
Senior figures within Plaid Cymru were quick to criticise Siencyn’s initial reluctance. A party insider described his position as “untenable” and claimed his comments had cast a shadow over the party’s annual conference, which began in Cardiff on Friday.
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth refrained from fully backing Siencyn, urging him to reflect on his position and emphasising the importance of finding the truth for the victims. Independent councillor Emma Hughes also called for Siencyn’s resignation, stating that trust in his leadership had been lost.
Gwynedd Council’s internal review has faced criticism, with some victims stating they had not been contacted. Local MP Liz Saville Roberts has joined those calling for a thorough public inquiry, arguing that the council’s duty of care to children must be independently scrutinised.
Siencyn expressed regret over the cabinet resignations, thanking the departing members for their “valuable contribution and tireless work.” He reiterated that the victims remained his priority and that the council would act on the findings of the independent review once it is completed.
