Groves War Of Words Goes On: AM ‘Inappropriate & Unprofessional’ , Council Leader ‘Rambling’ ‘Spreading Lies’

Following on from a lengthy statement yesterday, the war of words over the fall out of the Groves listing decision has spilled over with Wrexham’s Assembly Member and the Leader of Wrexham Council not holding back in having a pop at each other.

On Tuesday the Groves school building was re-listed, with AM Lesley Griffiths branding the the whole affair a ‘shambles’, accusing Wrexham Council of ‘secretive discussions’. Yesterday Wrexham Council Leader Mark Pritchard responded at length to the Assembly Member ‘in the strongest possible terms’. This reply had an unusual ‘clarification’ requested by the Director of Communications at the Welsh Government – which we added in.

Today Lesley Griffiths AM herself has replied to the comments by the Council Leader, saying: “This is by no means the first time the Leader of Wrexham Council has made unprofessional personal attacks in the press and his desperate tactics reiterate the shambolic nature of this whole affair.

“The Leader’s latest rambling statement explains very little. Nothing is moving forward and the prominent site at the former Groves School remains empty. Cllr Pritchard continues to spread lies and bring his office into disrepute, rather than tackling the key issues and achieving the best possible outcomes for the town.”

“From the beginning of this saga, there has been a lack of transparency with the Council’s plans shrouded in mystery. The Tory/Independent Council have now had the best part of 12 months to consult and engage with the public and local representatives but instead have decided to pursue costly legal challenges and focus on petty political attacks.”

Cllr Mark Pritchard told Wrexham.com this afternoon: “Ms Griffiths addresses absolutely none of the valid points raised by myself. The public may draw its own conclusions from that.

“I personally expect better from my AM, who appears to only be representing the viewpoint of a small minority of constituents in this particular instance.

“Her remarks are wholly inappropriate, unfounded and unprofessional.”