AM slammed for Plaid Nazi video
SWANSEA-BASED AM Peter Black has come under fire for using a video portraying Plaid as Nazis on his personal blogsite.
The video is a scene from the movie Downfall, which charts the fall of the Third Reich. It features subtitles relating to Plaid's election defeat in Caernafon.
The clip — taken from the YouTube video-sharing website — was briefly on Mr Black's blogsite on Wednesday afternoon.
A note linked to the video written by South Wales West AM Mr Black (pictured) said: "This is hysterical. Those of a nervous disposition should not watch it, especially those who may be offended by bad language."
However, one comment left on the blogsite, by Alwyn ap Huw at 5.47pm, said: "If I was to make a video that suggested that the Welsh Liberal Democrats are fascists and likened the party leader to Hitler, would you find that hilarious?
"Or is it just funny when members of another party are treated in such an offensive and libellous way?"
Soon after this comment was left the video was removed.
Mr Black, who is also a Swansea councillor for the Cwmbwrla ward, has now apologised for using the video.
He said: "I had no part in making the video, but it was drawn to my attention and I put it on my blog as it seemed to be an interesting and quite funny satire.
"However, on reviewing it I decided that it was inappropriate, open to misinterpretation and, in parts, offensive, so I took it down.
"It was only there for an hour or so and I am sorry if any offence was caused."
Although the video has been removed from Mr Black's website, it is still on the YouTube website.
Neath-based Plaid AM Bethan Jenkins has slammed the video and criticised Mr Black for using it.
She said: "This is shocking. It is awful.
"The real video before us depicts the last days of Hitler — a racist leader that killed millions of Jewish people.
"To use this video to relay a story about Plaid Cymru is insulting, crass, and should be removed from YouTube immediately.
"Plaid is a democratic party, an inclusive party, and the fact that Peter Black AM had this video on his blog at all is, I believe, irresponsible to say the least. He should be answerable for his actions."
Plaid councillor for Upper Loughor Darren Price said: "His time would probably be better spent delivering for the people who elected him."
Last month Mr Black was named Wales's best political blogger after his internet site came out on top of the Welsh Top Blogs list.









16 Comments
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by dai evans, swansea
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 9:24PM
“Helen,as you are a public representative and closely associated with Peter Black,then instead of defending his latest derogatory comments,you should remind him,that as a A/M he must not make such insulting remarks,and inappropriate comments,because this is not the first time similar comments have been used against member's of the public.I would suggest you tell MR Black it is time to grow up and use his position to represent the people or he is going to lose a lot more respect.”
by Jon Howes, Sketty Park
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 12:39PM
“Yes I have seen the video Ms Clarke, what I wonder is if you bothered reading my comment.
What I questioned was whether your belief that it¿s OK to use Hitler to poke fun at your political enemies was valid or a crass lack of taste.”
by Helen Ceri Clarke, Morriston
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 8:13AM
“Have John Howes and Lis davies actually seen the video they are referring to? It does NOT poke fun at jews or any other victims of the holocaust. It pokes fun at Plaid Cymru. Please check your facts before ranting!”
by M Sand, Swansea
Sunday, September 14 2008, 10:14AM
“Peter Black is forevere adding his views this website when he feels srongly about something. He should do the grown up thing and use the same medium to make an apology.”
by Jon Howes, Sketty Park
Saturday, September 13 2008, 4:43PM
“Some 72,000,000 people died in the last war as a direct result of Hitler and his follower¿s madness. That¿s more than the current population of Britain and Ireland.
Bringing this right home to Mr Blacks Constituency, hundreds of civilians were killed and injured in Swansea itself during the war.
I am appalled that Peter Black is not the only one of the Liberal Democrats in Swansea to find this an acceptable matter to use to ¿poke fun¿ at their political enemies.
Both Ms Clark and Mr Black should be censured by their parties and dealt with appropriately by the electorate, who will not forget such crass comments.”
by Lis Davies, Swansea
Saturday, September 13 2008, 1:38PM
“Typical comments from Lib Dem Helen Ceri Clark - after all Mr Peter Black is her political agent during elections. Although I agree that political mockery is part and parcel of political life once again Mr Black has overstepped the mark of common DECENCY.
It is a sad reflection of our times when members of the Lib Dems consider the horrors suffered by millions of Jews something to poke fun at. Thankfully, I and many thousands of others are not laughing Ms Clark we do not appreciate the gruesome sense of humour you and Mr Black appear to possess.”
by Helen Ceri Clarke, Morriston
Saturday, September 13 2008, 11:52AM
“All political parties have had fun poked at them from time to time. Most people manage to laugh at at. Perhaps Bethan Jenkins should spend more time dealing with the casework she hasn't replied to yet rather than trawling the internet finding things to be offended by.”
by Jon Howes, Sketty Park
Saturday, September 13 2008, 8:13AM
“Further to my earlier comment.
I am reminded of another "posting" of witty "political satire". This by one William Collingham who penned the lines ¿The Cat the Rat and Lovell the dog, rule all England under a Hog¿ and nailed them to a church door. This posting too was temporary and quickly "taken down" as it was considered ¿inappropriate, open to misinterpretation and, in parts, offensive ¿.
Mr Collingham was almost certainly also ¿sorry if any offence was caused¿ - all the way to the scaffold.
History has a habit of repeating itself Mr. Black.”
by Iain McCallum, Gorseinon
Friday, September 12 2008, 3:23PM
“My goodness, are all nationalists so full of themselves that they cant ignore this sort of thing. I haven't seen it myself, but get over it. Mind you gives the political minnows from Wales a chance to be outraged.”
by Lesley Walton, Mount Pleasant
Friday, September 12 2008, 1:01PM
“I couldn't agree more with ALL the comments made so far. And I would also add that I am absolutely appalled that Peter Black thought for even one moment that this clip was either funny or appropriate to put on his blog. I think this is one occasion where saying 'sorry' just doesn't cut it!”