VIEW FROM THE SENEDD: Reports criminals were let into Britain under Afghan resettlement schemes are serious – Rhoose residents deserve the truth

Several criminals were let into Britain under the Government’s Afghan resettlement schemes, press reports revealed this week.

Figures obtained by the Guido Fawkes website confirm at least 28 violent criminals were brought into the country, including at least one person referred to the Government’s terrorism prevention programme.

It follows previous allegations reported by Sky News that Afghans resettled under the scheme exaggerated claims to have assisted British forces, faked Taliban threat letters, staged torture videos and returned to Afghanistan on holiday.

Resettled Afghans are currently being housed in the Vale of Glamorgan at the Holiday Inn Express, Rhoose.

So these reports are obviously of deep concern.

Back in August, I was briefed by Ministry of Defence officials on the scheme.

I put a series of questions to them, including on crime statistics.

Despite chasing several times, these have still not been answered. This is completely unacceptable.

I was therefore left with no option but to report the Government to the Information Commissioner.

They have now been ordered to release the information within the next 10 days.

With our communities being used to house people under the schemes, we have a right to know.

The combination of the serious allegations reported, and the Government’s repeated failure to answer questions, only leaves me to ask: just what is being kept from us?

I will keep pursuing this matter until the safety and security of our communities is assured.