Politicians dismay at Court Closure

Plaid Cymru politicians have expressed their dismay at today’s announcement by the UK Government’s Minister of State for the Ministry of Justice to close Ammanford Magistrates’ Court.  Assembly Member Rhodri Glyn Thomas who have led the campaign against the Court’s closure have described today’s announcement as an attack on the principle of local and transparent justice.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas said:

 “This is yet another reason why we need to see the devolution of Criminal Justice in Wales.

 “We need a Government that will protect legal services and the communities in which those services are needed.

 “This is a deeply one sided and ill-thought out process which looks no further than where the Ministry of Justice can save a few pounds.

 “We will almost certainly see the demise of the lay magistracy and greater use of district judges as the notion of crime detection, crime prevention and punishment fall right at the bottom of the UK Government’s priorities”.

ENDS/DIWEDD

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