Councillor living in Wales suspended for replying to emails in German

English-speaking councillor living in Wales is suspended for replying to emails in German because she didn’t understand Welsh

• Louise Hughes was trying to be ‘light-hearted’ but was found to be disrespectful

An English-speaking councillor living in Wales will be suspended for replying to emails in German – because she didn’t understand Welsh.

Louise Hughes was baffled to receive two emails written entirely in Welsh while serving as an independent county councillor.

Ms Hughes, who was born in Germany, was trying to be ‘light-hearted’ by replying to both emails in German – to highlight her frustration at being unable to understand the text.

But nationalist activist Howard Huws complained about her ‘offensive’ response – and an ombudsman ruled she had been ‘disrespectful’ to the Welsh language.

Ms Hughes has since apologised and says she has learnt her lesson. 

Ms Hughes, who represents the Llangelynnin ward on Gwynedd Council, described her actions as ‘light-hearted’

A statement by The Public Service Ombudsman for Wales said: ‘The Member admitted responding to two emails written in Welsh, in German. She expressed remorse and regret for her actions.

‘She said that she was unaware the Council’s translation services were available to her for this type of correspondence.

‘However, the investigation found that, given the Member’s length of service, she ought to have known that the Council had a translation service and that responding in German would be perceived as inappropriate.’

The ombudsman upheld the complaint and Ms Hughes is set to be suspended for a month for breaching the council’s code of conduct.

Ms Hughes, who represents the Llangelynnin ward on Gwynedd Council, described her actions as ‘light-hearted’.

She said they were an attempt to ‘illustrate the difficulty caused when I received an email which I could not fully understand’.

‘In no way did I mean to be offensive. I often use humour to defuse potentially awkward situations.’

Gwynedd Council’s Standards Committee ruled Ms Hughes be suspended for one month, and required to attend training and provide a written apology to Mr Huws within three weeks

She added that she genuinely regretted ‘sending what was a puerile and unnecessary response to Mr Huws’.

‘I have been very upset and stressed by this whole process. I feel criminalised and persecuted. I am not a horrible person,’ she added. 

‘I made a mistake and I apologised. I speak good German. 

‘I would never knowingly offend anyone, it’s not in my nature. But he was offended and the ombudsman deemed it in the public interest to launch a full investigation.

‘I hope this will be the end of it. I have learned my lesson.’

Katrin Shaw, of the Ombudsman’s office said the emails were ‘disrespectful to Mr Huws, his Welsh cultural identity and also the Welsh language itself’.

She found the messages had resulted in three breaches of the code of conduct related to equality, respect and to not bring the council into disrepute.

Mr Huws, a member of Welsh language pressure group Cylch yr Iaith, said her responses had been ‘sarcastic and offensive behaviour’.

He said the email – addressed to all councillors – was ‘an official business matter and I expected the person to respond and behave as is appropriate for someone who is a member of a public body’.

Gwynedd Council’s Standards Committee ruled Ms Hughes be suspended for one month, and required to attend training and provide a written apology to Mr Huws within three weeks.

The committee also recommended the council consider assisting members when they receive correspondence in a language they do not understand.

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