Ministers questioned over lack of action
WELSH government ministers are being called on to explain why action was not taken years ago against a Swansea- based charity which has been condemned for "significant and fundamental failures".
The Welsh Government and the Big Lottery Fund have terminated all funding with immediate effect to the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association following their joint report published on Thursday which concluded there was a "fundamental lack of control" within the charity, which handled £8 million of public money.
-

Naz Malik (left) and Peter Black AM.
The report followed an earlier study commissioned by Awema's trustees, which said its chief executive Naz Malik had paid off a personal credit card bill by claiming £9,340 as an advance on future expenses.
It also alleged that his salary was increased to £65,719 without approval from the board, as was that of his daughter Tegwen, who worked as the charity's operations manager, and saw her salary rise from £20,469 in January 2008, to £50,052 in August 2011. Mr Malik had also claimed rugby and football tickets worth £800, and a parking ticket for £110, while £2,120 was spent on gym membership for staff.
The charity's trustees were due to meet yesterday to discuss how to wind up the charity's affairs.
Its chairman, Dr Rita Austin, said: "The report of the Welsh Government Internal Audit Services is a substantial and serious one and it must be properly absorbed. Myself, continuing trustees and CEO will carry out our responsibility to manage an orderly exit for the only minority ethnic development organisation which works across Wales."
But politicians say ministers now have questions to answer, after a report dating to 2003 concluded no further funding should be made available to Awema until new management systems had been put into place.
Peter Black AM said: "The Welsh Labour Government was repeatedly warned over the last decade that all was not well at Awema, however, they still continued to throw Welsh tax payers' money at this charity. The spotlight must be shone on to links between Government ministers, a charity riddled with financial malpractice and the Labour Party."
Leader of Welsh Conservatives Andrew Davies added: "This is a fiasco that should have been prevented.
"The Welsh Government was warned eight years ago and failed to take the relevant steps.
"Responsibility should now be taken at a ministerial level."
A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: "The Lib Dems and Tories are in danger of turning a serious situation into a party political spat.
"They seem more interested in trying to score political points than getting the truth about what happened."
nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk







18 Comments
View all
by Hotroll
Friday, February 24 2012, 10:49PM
“Hi worried from swansea here, haven't heard from Bob 225 or BME Wales, wondering if I should report them missing? Going back to 2003 this is what was found and reported same old names keep coming up don't they http://tinyurl.com/6ls6tjl”
by sweetiepiedav
Monday, February 13 2012, 4:54PM
“How can it be, after all we have heard, that Naz Malik is still in his job, still going into work and merrily telling the media that he is going to 'co-operate' with the recommendations of the Welsh government. He has admitted to putting a Charity's money to his own private use, he is facing several further investigations, including potentially a criminal one. Yet he is still apparently at work every day and still seems to be in charge of the organisation he has dragged into the gutter. He obviously hasn't got the decency to resign, but just what else has he got to do to get kicked out? It's clear from what we've heard about him and his behaviour that he thought he was untouchable. It seems that this is true.”
by newsaffair
Sunday, February 12 2012, 7:40PM
“"awema-gate",The latest debate over this charity,should not end when the final report is done and dusted,there are questions that politicians in this country step back from when the " race relations act" is discussed.why,when you compare against the general population,these communities recieve extra funding for being ethnic. They choose to be "ethnic", to qualify over the general population for extra funding . The human rights act covers all communities,and all sections equally,and the race relations act,in my opinion keeps these groups seperate, therefore making them different from other people in the uk. At a time of financial restraint, every effort should be made not to commit any monies twice,to any sections. Those groups that benefit,under the race relations act,should realise that any need they feel they are in need of ,are not judged by being ethnic,but like the rest of us,by being in need,with monies supplied from government ,to combine these grants,with the services that everyone recieves,means the taxpayer pays twice.!!”
by mick1book
Sunday, February 12 2012, 12:57PM
“The Labour Welsh Government has surpassed itself this time in its blatant CRONYISM they have quite literally LEFT THE FOX TO GUARD THE HENHOSE http://tinyurl.com/74gtljc”
by newsaffair
Sunday, February 12 2012, 11:51AM
“awema-gate! As to the previous comments posted on another blog,we now hear about other "charities",with what looks like similar remit,complaining about whether they are going to be roped into this debacle,thus preventing them from carrying out their buisness. It goes without saying,All organisations,which recieves the taxpayers hard earned money ,are subjected to all scrutiny,and not as Dr austin would have us believe,condemm the press for investigating this affair, as racial. For the people to remain in their posts,while the investigation takes place,is totally wrong ,and those conducting these investigations,should insist they stand aside, or better,suspend them until these matters are finalised .”
by mick1book
Sunday, February 12 2012, 12:25AM
“the orderly exit from AWEMA led by Austin, Malik et al means wait for it the malik family will get redundancy payments geeze another carve up by WG”
by mick1book
Sunday, February 12 2012, 12:20AM
“The questions the Welsh Government must answer http://tinyurl.com/74gtljc but wont answer”
by geraldine2
Saturday, February 11 2012, 7:16PM
“this wag has no idea's at all.if this person was a white british national then hed be in court for everything by now pathetic!”
by MattFromNeath
Saturday, February 11 2012, 7:01PM
“AWEMA is the tip of the iceberg. Every taxpayer should be looking at exactly how their money is spent....supposedly for the greater good. The Welsh Assembly Government need to bow their heads in shame over this issue. The larger issue is the WAG itself. What does it do? How does it benefit us? Or does it just benefit those who are involved with it. In a time where the world needs less government spending, the WAG seem hell bent on plundering more and more from the working tax payer.”
by trunkles3
Saturday, February 11 2012, 5:44PM
“Peter Black has been involved in Swansea politics since 1984, he's been an AM since 1999. Until these recent events, exactly what has he done or said on the subject of Awema? Not a lot, until he jumped on the bandwagon in the last couple of weeks.”