**Frustration Mounts Over Lengthy Probe Into Expelled Cardiff Councillor**
A Cardiff councillor’s expulsion from the Labour Party—following a protracted three-year investigation—has triggered widespread frustration and renewed scrutiny of the party’s disciplinary processes, according to statements from council leadership.
Cllr Keith Jones, who currently serves Llanrumney as an Independent on Cardiff Council, was officially removed from the Labour Party earlier in May. The lengthy probe that led to Jones’ expulsion has been shrouded in secrecy, with neither the party nor officials disclosing specific details about the nature of the complaint filed against him. Nonetheless, it has been suggested that the allegations pertained to physical misconduct of a sexual nature.
Council leader and head of Cardiff Labour, Cllr Huw Thomas, addressed the situation this week, expressing sympathy with mounting public and political dismay at how long the process took. “I think everyone is frustrated by the length of time it’s taken, but that’s a matter for the party,” he remarked, while underscoring that internal party procedures limited his ability to comment further on the particulars of the investigation.
Cllr Jones, who was previously prominent within Cardiff Labour circles and held roles as chair of both the Labour group and the council’s planning committee for five years, had initially been positioned for a cabinet role following the May 2022 local elections. However, concerns were reportedly raised as his name was set to be put forward for the post, prompting a formal complaint to the party. As a result, his appointment was halted and an investigation was launched, which led to Jones’ suspension and eventual expulsion.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Thomas explained: “When his name was proposed for cabinet, concerns were raised with me. I made it very clear that it needed to be submitted formally so it could be fully investigated. That’s what subsequently happened. He was suspended—he wasn’t put into the cabinet.”
A Labour Party spokesperson commented earlier on the handling of the case, saying: “The Labour Party takes all complaints extremely seriously and they are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.” This statement was made at the time of the original suspension and reiterated following news of Jones’ removal.
Jones himself has not been able to discuss the circumstances of his expulsion publicly. He told journalists that the Labour Party had instructed him there would be legal repercussions if he spoke to the media or disclosed further information about the case. This level of imposed confidentiality has contributed to the lack of clarity surrounding the entire affair and further fuelled frustration within the council and among the public.
Significantly, this is not the first time Jones has faced suspension from the party. In 2013, he was sidelined for nearly 21 months pending an internal Labour review. Following that investigation, he was formally suspended for two years in 2015, after being found to have sent inappropriate communications via social media to women party members.
The drawn-out nature of the party’s latest probe into Jones, combined with the overall lack of transparency, has renewed calls for reforms within the Labour Party’s disciplinary systems. Observers suggest that greater openness and expediency are needed, not only for those directly involved but also to maintain public confidence in the integrity of political processes.
As Cardiff residents await further explanation, there is growing pressure on the Labour Party to reassess how such cases are handled in future. Meanwhile, Cllr Jones continues to serve his Llanrumney constituents as an independent, as the council and his former party seek to move on from a controversy that has strained local political relations and cast a spotlight on internal accountability.