South Wales Evening Post - 11 November 2006
Two Swansea councillors had to be separated after a row erupted between them at County Hall.
It is understood a third councillor was forced to step in and separate the pair after Councillor Keith Morgan allegedly barged Councillor Ray Welsby during a private discussion.
Councillor Welsby was after an apology from his former coalition colleague over comments allegedly made on local radio station Swansea Sound.
He said yesterday: "Councillor Morgan had been on the radio saying that I left the coalition and Independent group at Swansea Council because I could not get my own way.
"I left because I couldn't agree with the policies of the coalition. I do not mind people talking about me, but not when what they are saying is untrue."
Councillor Welsby had sought legal advice about the comments and was told he could make an official complaint.
He said: "I could have reported it to the Ombudsman, but I didn't want to do that and so I was advised to ask Councillor Morgan for an apology.
"I spoke to him and told him his comments were untrue, and I wanted an apology. He just denied saying it.
"In the end I said I did not want an argument about it and got up to walk off. That is when he appeared to square up to me."I would not expect anyone to behave like that, let alone a fellow councillor."
Councillor Welsby said he was now considering taking the matter further.
The Post understands the alleged confrontation happened in front of a number of witnesses, one of whom is prepared to give an official statement about the incident if necessary.
Councillor Keith Morgan was asked for a comment and indicated that he was willing to speak to the Evening Post.
However, at the time of going to press he had not responded.
A source at Swansea Council said: "Councillor Welsby had asked for an apology and was perfectly calm about it. When Councillor Morgan refused Councillor Welsby told him he did not want to get into an argument about it and got up to walk away.
"That is when things escalated."
