20mph: FM told off for saying Welsh Tory not telling truth

Mark Drakeford has been told off for accusing the Welsh Conservative's Senedd leader of not telling the truth over the 20mph speed limit change.

Presiding Officer Elin Jones rebuked the first minister after he said Andrew RT Davies disgraced his office by calling it a blanket speed limit.

Ms Jones said he went beyond "a regular exchange of views".

The Welsh government declined to comment.

Welsh Labour say the description of the policy - which affects most roads in built-up areas - as a blanket speed limit is misinformation.

But the Welsh Conservatives have stood by the terminology.

Implying a politician has lied or deliberately tells untruths is generally considered unacceptable language in the Senedd and other UK parliaments.

It comes as Elin Jones said Senedd politicians, including her, have received threatening messages due to their stance on the 20mph speed limit change.

She said staff had been dealing with abusive social media, email and phone messages on Wednesday.

In a speech referring to comments by the first minister about the Welsh Conservative group leader, she urged Senedd members to ensure "public debate in Wales is measured, dignified and respectful".

The new speed limit in built-up areas came into force on Sunday.

As the presiding officer Ms Jones, also known as the Llywydd, oversees proceedings in the Senedd.

On Tuesday, Mr Drakeford said in the Senedd that the Conservatives "know that it is not... a default speed limit, which is not the same as a blanket ban".

Referring to Mr Davies, he added: "It's not that he doesn't understand, it's just that he's determined not to tell the truth, and that is a disgrace, an absolute disgrace, in someone who holds the office that he holds."

Mr Davies protested verbally in the Senedd, and later wrote a letter to Elin Jones denying the allegation.

"To clarify, I categorically refute the first minister's allegation, which is of no foundation whatsoever," he said.

"Under the Welsh government's changes, that came into effect on Sunday, the default speed limit in built up areas has been reduced from 30mph to 20mph.

"It is correct to state the previous blanket 30mph limit has been replaced by a blanket 20mph limit, and it is misleading of the first minister to claim otherwise."

In a response to Mr Davies, Ms Jones said: "I have written to the first minister to express my view that his remarks on this occasion went beyond what I would consider to be a regular exchange of views in the Siambr [chamber], and to reiterate my expectation that all members ensure that their contributions to Senedd business are orderly and respectful."

At the start of Senedd proceedings on Wednesday, Ms Jones said: "Overnight I've become aware of several members myself included receiving abusive and threatening messages on social media, email and telephone due to their stance on this topic.

"Whilst it's encouraging to see unprecedented interest in our petitions committee and its work, we all have a duty to ensure that public debate in Wales is measured, dignified and respectful."

"That means setting the tone for how we expect others to express their views, whatever their stance on this matter or any other matter, and that we do that in a way that does not demean or undermine any individual," she said.

After saying she had written to Mr Davies and Mr Drakeford, she added: "I will conclude by urging members to bear all of this in mind when articulating their views in the chamber and in turn influencing how others behave outside this chamber."

Mr Davies said he was pleased the Llywydd had clarified what was "acceptable language in the chamber".

"It's clear the first minister crossed that line yesterday," he said.