Skip to content

UKIP AM Gareth Bennett apologises for transgender comments

A ban preventing UKIP AM Gareth Bennett from speaking in the Senedd has been lifted after he apologised for comments he made about transgender rights.

In December, Mr Bennett claimed society could implode if there was too much "deviation from the norm".

On Wednesday, he said he was "sorry that people took offence" but that he stood by the views he had expressed.

Presiding Officer Elin Jones accepted the apology and warned AMs to always use "non-discriminatory" language.

10 January 2018

Explore More

With some travel disruption, children and dogs have been enjoying the cold weather

Watch: Scotland under a blanket of snow from Storm Bert

Science & Environment

BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega at scene of destroyed building in Beirut, Lebanon

Beirut strike 'so powerful it was felt across the city'

BBC Scotland's Judith Ralston says snow will extend into northern Scotland over the next few hours.

The latest weather forecast for Scotland as Storm Bert hits

BBC News

One-minute World News

90s boy band Damage in a black and white promotional photo

Watch: Boy band Damage on their journey to stardom

Phone footage of a skate surfacing out of grey waves to a rigid inflatable boat.ttack the side of a inflatable

Watch the moment a skate attacks a fisherman's boat off Shetland

NE, Orkney & Shetland

People in high-vis jackets walk next to a car submerged in floods on the left of a split screen with a snowy road on the right

Atmospheric river dumps snow and record rain on California

Science & Environment

Smoke billows from house fire.

Video shows flames and thick smoke at house fire

A view from an EasyJet plane window as it flies above and to the side of an erupting volcano

Plane passengers film Iceland volcano lava from above

BBC News

East of England weather forecast

Composite image of Sir Keir Starmer and BBC Radio WM presenter Kath Stanczyszyn, who is pictured wearing headphones and speaking into a purple microphone

Will there be a Birmingham pub bombings inquiry?

Birmingham & Black Country

A huge Christmas tree on a flatbed lorry in font of the US Capitol building

US Capitol Christmas tree arrives in DC

Blurred still image from video clips shows people being taken out of a car

Migrants asked to rate trip in smuggler review videos

John Darvall sat on the left of a composite image, in a purple studio with a microphone in front of him. On the right is Keir Starmer with grey hair and brown glasses.

PM challenged on West's councils facing bankruptcy

BBC Newsline

BBC Newsline signed summary

BBC Scotland weather presenter Christopher Blanchett in front of a weather map of Scotland showing snow warnings.

Watch the Storm Bert weather forecast for Scotland

Mural of The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke unveiled

Parts of West Burton A power station being demolished

Power station demolition captured by drone

Man clinging to a cliff being rescued

Moment person clinging to cliff is rescued by helicopter

A woman in a hospital gown grins on the left and a monitor lit up with lungs is on the right of a split screen.

Woman gets first double lung transplant done by robot

Terel Edmunds

What do people think of disposable vape ban?

The Welsh government has confirmed the sale of disposable vapes will be banned from June next year.

Mark Drakeford

Drakeford gets emotional during Covid inquiry

Mark Drakeford becomes emotional as he describes not seeing his 90-year-old mother during lockdown.

Andrew RT Davies

Watch Conservative Senedd leader conference speech

Watch Andrew RT Davies addressing the Welsh Conservative conference in Llandudno.

Huw Gwynn

Rail strikes 'very problematic' for students

Disruption caused by rail strikes are causing stress and frustration for students planning to travel home.

Rishi Sunak and rival Liz Truss were in Cardiff prior to hustings

Sunak pledges to invest in Wales if he becomes PM

Rishi Sunak and rival Liz Truss are in Cardiff prior to a hustings in front of the Tory membership.

Megan Thompson

'My company gives me time off work for my period'

One business in Bristol has allowed it's staff to work from home when they are on their period.

Vox pop

'Where's all that council tax money going to?'

New proposals could see homeowners in Wales pay more council tax if they extend their homes.

James Williams, BBC Wales reporter

How will Wales vote in the 2022 council elections?

It has been five years since the last local elections - are our councils in for a shake-up?

Mark Drakeford at a press conference

What has Covid done for devolution calls in Wales?

The pandemic exposed the differing ways the Welsh government dealt with the crisis.

Aberthaw

Coal power station to go green under new owners

At its peak it burned enough coal to power 1.5 million homes, but can its future be green?

Michael and Bridget

Couple did 'anything legal' to fundraise £1m

Michael and Bridget Locke have raised just under £1m for charity over the past 40 years.

Boris Johnson

'Why is it one rule for them, one rule for us?'

From "I like him" to "absolutely disgusting", the Welsh public weigh in on the Downing Street party.

Jo Stevens

PM thinks public is stupid, says top Labour MP

Labour's Jo Stevens says Boris Johnson should resign over the Downing Street party.

First Minister Mark Drakeford

Further Covid restrictions may be 'unavoidable'

First Minister Mark Drakeford warns that more restrictions could return if infections keep rising.

Boris Johnson

Wylfa nuclear plans being examined, says PM

The UK's prime minister says previous governments have not taken "tough decisions" on nuclear power.

Simon Hart and Boris Johnson

'Thinking Boris could die was a sobering moment'

Welsh Secretary Simon Hart talks about Prime Minister Boris Johnson's admission to intensive care with Covid.

Leanne Wood

Plaid's Leanne Wood not friends with successor

Leanne Wood says she thinks Adam Price went about his Plaid leadership challenge the wrong way.

People on a fundraising walk

'We asked to be involved in clinical trials - they said no'

Bob Gledhill and his family are campaigning for a national centre for research to be established in Wales

Four women

'Virus doesn't know whether we're in England or Wales'

A raft of restrictions could be set to go in England from 19 July but the situation in Wales is unknown.

The Senedd - Welsh Parliament

Live: Senedd meets to nominate first minister for Wales

Members of the Welsh Parliament meet in Cardiff Bay for the first time since Thursday's election.