Ex-Tory councillor banned after suggesting 'white men should have black slaves'

Edwards has denied the veracity of the recording, claiming the audio was a "deep fake" manufactured with harmful intentions.

The former Tory councillor said in the recording: "Nothing wrong with the skin colour at all. I think all white men should have a black man as a slave or a black woman as a slave, you know.

"There's nothing wrong with skin colour, it's just that they're lower class than us white people."

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales concluded that the voice on the recording belonged to Edwards.

Edwards had departed from the Conservative Party in 2023 when the recording initially surfaced, maintaining his innocence regarding the authenticity of the message.

The ombudsman's investigation determined "on balance" that it was Edwards speaking in the recording.

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This led to the matter being passed to the Adjudication Panel for Wales for further action.

The panel's subsequent ruling resulted in a four-year disqualification from public service.

Edwards stepped down from his council position in December 2024 and acknowledged disclosing confidential council matters and making public comments to his partner.

He explained that he was "venting" while experiencing personal stress.

The businessman retains the option to challenge the Adjudication Panel's verdict through an appeal to the High Court.

Following Edwards' resignation, a by-election took place in February for the Prendergast ward, which was secured by independent candidate Alun Wills.

Speaking after his win, Wills vowed to "insist on council tax value for money".