During a business‑questions session, a member called for a Welsh government statement concerning the demographic replacement of white British people, invoking the freedom members have to raise issues of their choosing.
Business Minister Heledd Fychan promptly asked the presiding officer whether the comments complied with the Senedd’s standing orders, which regulate conduct within the chamber.
The standing orders empower the presiding officer to assess whether contributions made during plenary sessions contain discriminatory or offensive language.
Later, Irranca‑Davies stated that, until the member demonstrates understanding of parliamentary conduct boundaries and offers an apology to the Siambr, his speaking privileges would remain suspended.
Senedd officials clarified that an apology must be delivered in the chamber during a plenary session.
The ruling does not apply to committee meetings.
Martin serves on the Senedd’s Equality, Human Rights and Social Justice Committee.
Irranca‑Davies noted that this was not the first reprimand for Martin; in September he criticized Martin for offensive comments concerning surgeons in the Welsh NHS gender service.
Plaid Cymru MS Marc Jones urged Martin to apologise for the ongoing harm and fear he instills within communities.
The 2021 census recorded that 93.8 % of Wales’ population identified as white, a decline from 95.6 % reported a decade earlier.
The proportion identifying as Asian, Asian Welsh or Asian British – the next largest demographic group – increased from 2.3 % to 2.9 %.
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