South Wales Echo
CARDIFF, Wales — Police are investigating claims that Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Mick Bates assaulted a paramedic after falling down the stairs at a Cardiff restaurant.
The AM was yesterday relieved of front-bench duties by the party in Wales following the assault allegations.
Lib Dem leaders in Wales were already investigating claims made in the Echo’s sister paper Wales on Sunday about Mr Bates’ behaviour after he ended up in casualty on a night out.
The Montgomeryshire AM was taken to hospital by ambulance after he fell over and split his head while drinking in Cardiff on January 20.
Reports about his alleged subsequent behaviour sparked an internal inquiry by the party.
Welsh party leader Kirsty Williams said she was trying to establish the facts and had already spoken to the AM.
She said he had apologised for the incident, but her understanding was that he had been knocked unconscious and suffered serious head injuries.
Fresh allegations emerged yesterday claiming Mr Bates had assaulted a paramedic who had come to his assistance.
As a result, the party issued a brief statement.
“Following a conversation between Kirsty Williams and Mick Bates they have agreed that he will be relieved of his front-bench duties and his chair of the sustainability committee whilst this matter is being investigated.
“We have informed the University Health Board and Ambulance Service that both Mick and the party will fully cooperate with any investigations.”
The allegations in Wales on Sunday centred on claims that Mr Bates had been verbally abusive.
The new allegations yesterday came from a paramedic who attended him at Charlestons Brasserie in Cardiff in the early hours of January 20.
The paramedic, who does not want to be named, told BBC Wales online, that the crew found Mr Bates had a minor head wound.
He claims he suffered the injury when he fell down the stairs at the restaurant while he was being ejected from the premises.
Outside, Mr Bates is alleged to have delivered a tirade of verbal abuse and punched the paramedic in the chest while he was trying to give him first aid. It is also claimed that a police officer was called to the ambulance to give Mr Bates a warning.
It is alleged his abusive behaviour continued after being taken to the A&E unit at the University Hospital of Wales, where he was kept under observation by security.
“When the ambulance got there, the male was very aggressive, verbally aggressive, lashing out with both his arms, telling us to clear off,” the paramedic told BBC Wales online.
“On trying to obtain observations on the gentleman, he grabbed out at a jacket, punched myself to the chest and grabbed my colleague’s wrists.”
South Wales Police confirmed they were looking at the circumstances surrounding an alleged incident in Cardiff city centre.
“It is too early to offer any further comment on the matter,” a spokeswoman said.
Nobody was available for comment at Charlestons Brasserie in Cardiff.
In a brief statement yesterday, Mr Bates said: “On the night in question, I fell down some stairs.
“As a result of my fall, I have no recollection of events thereafter, until I came round in the Accident and Emergency department of Cardiff’s Heath Hospital, when recovering.
“I am extremely grateful to the paramedics and hospital staff who gave their care and attention.
“I repeat my unreserved apology for any concern or difficulty I may have caused that night.”
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