Welsh Conservative Party suspends councillor after documentary appearance

The Welsh Conservative Party suspended councillor Nick Baneswell following his appearance in a Channel 4 documentary. Baneswell, 47, represents Rogerstone North on Newport City Council. A party spokesman stated that Baneswell has been suspended pending an investigation and that further comment would be inappropriate while the process remains confidential.

Baneswell said neither he nor local Conservative colleagues know the specific reasons for the suspension. Baneswell won the Rogerstone North by-election on May 8, receiving 597 votes against 287 for Plaid Cymru candidate Iestyn Davies.

Documentary content The programme examined men described as "serial dads.

Baneswell appeared under the name Nick Portman and stated he has ten children and three grandchildren from relationships with five women. " The documentary showed Baneswell with his then-fiancée Lauren, who was 20 at the time of filming and had met him when she was 17. The couple, separated by 27 years in age, became engaged three months into their relationship and have since separated.

Baneswell's election agent Jake Enea initially stated the party had no prior knowledge of the documentary and confirmed an internal investigation had begun. Baneswell said he and the Conservative Party in Newport have sent emails seeking clarification.