Above image: Gareth's statement issued on social media regarding the Covid-19 Passport Vote.
Gareth's Statement intended to be read to the Senedd Chamber;
"As a new Member to this place, I am deeply saddened, frustrated and angry that I was unable to vote on one of the most important regulations that has come through this Senedd."
"Yesterday evening ICT challenges meant that I was unable to access voting time remotely. Concerns have been raised with the Senedd ICT Department to establish what happened and they are being investigated."
"I’d like to thank you Llywydd for offering to speak to me over the phone at voting time, but I was already on a call at that time frantically speaking with Welsh Conservative staff members in an attempt to solve the ICT problems and wasn’t able to call you directly in the short space of time that was given."
"In future I will not rely on technology and would ask the Llywydd and the Business Committee to enable a full return to the Chamber to minimise the risks of these things happening to MSs in the future."
"I am desperately disappointed that as a result of what happened vaccine passes will now be coming into force."
"We need to be supporting the night-time economy to bounce back from the pandemic and I will be working with them and taking advice to determine what further action could be taken to repeal these regulations."
Ends.
