CARMARTHENSHIRE Council leader Meryl Gravell has apologised after being accused of labelling hospital protesters "rabble".

Mrs Gravell made the comments at the Chooselife centre's 15th anniversary celebrations, which were overshadowed by a protest outside over the proposed closure of Prince Philip Hospital's A&E department.

Around 300 people — many of them elderly — had turned out to show their concerns to First Minister Carwyn Jones, who had come to Llanelli to speak at the event.

Frustrated

Speaking to guests at the event, Mrs Gravell said: "I get so frustrated and so cross with some of the rabble that were outside today."

She has since insisted she was misunderstood and that her comments were aimed only at a "small minority" who allegedly abused the wife of Chooselife founder Alan Andrews and other guests, but the remark has sparked a furious backlash, prompting calls for her resignation.

Plaid councillor Winston Lemon, who organised the rally, said: "She's referring to me and my fellow councillors and the ex-chief consultant surgeon of Llanelli, Labour supporters, Plaid supporters.

"They were all there, so we were all rabble.

"She should resign for making such comments for the peace-loving, hospital-loving people of Llanelli who care about the hospital."

And chairman of the Lakeside Residents' Association Jeff Owen said: "There were people from all parties there. There were at least a dozen members of the association there aged between 60 and 80. To call us rabble, it's totally ridiculous. These are normal, ordinary people fighting for what their fathers and grandfathers fought for.

"She should step down."

Protester Enid Jones, 88, agreed, adding: "For a person in her position to call the demonstration a rabble I think is awful."

Mrs Gravell has since apologised, lending her support to the campaign and saying her comment was misunderstood.

She said: "I fully support the people of Llanelli who are fighting this campaign, and I am 100 per cent behind the right of anyone to carry out a peaceful protest.

"My remarks about rabble were not addressed at the crowd of people who took the opportunity of the First Minister's visit to make their views known.

"They were aimed at a small-minded minority who heckled some of the guests at the Chooselife celebratory event. Alan Andrews's wife, who was there simply to support her husband, was verbally assaulted by a barrage of insults which was extremely intimidating and upsetting for her.

"I sincerely apologise for any confusion or upset caused — my comments were never directed at the genuine protesters, whom I fully support, only at those who infiltrated their ranks and used the opportunity to belittle the good work of Chooselife."

But Janet Williams, one of several protesters to complain to the Star about Mrs Gravell's comments (see letters, page 10), said: "There were enough placards there which made it crystal clear that we were protesting against any cuts to our local hospital. To make out that we were in any way being disrespectful to an organisation which does such commendable work is contemptuous."

"There were lots of very respectable people in the protest. It was good-humoured and we had a good rapport with the police. Surely this is what peaceful protesting is all about?" she added.