Decision due on inquiry 'contempt'

Mr Jones has apologised to the parents

The Children's Commissioner for Wales is deciding whether to refer a council leader to the Attorney General for contempt of a child abuse inquiry.

Bridgend councillor Jeff Jones attacked the conduct of the Clywch inquiry and accused parents of the alleged victims of putting the Welsh language before the welfare of their children.

Commissioner Peter Clarke set up the Clywch inquiry to examine how the authorities handled allegations that Welsh language drama teacher John Owen abused pupils.

He killed himself two years ago, shortly before facing trial.

In letters to the First Minister and to the Children's Commissioner, Jeff Jones claimed education officials were being made "scape goats" by the inquiry.

Thursday's hearing will decide whether those letters amount to contempt of court and should be referred to the Attorney General.

Penalties for such an offence include an unlimited fine or two years in jail.

John Owen killed himself before a sex abuse trial could begin

Mr Jones is not expected to attend the hearing in person.

Parents of John Owen's alleged victims have told BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme they were disgusted by his attack on them.

They said they may still sue him for libel - despite having been given an apology.

"As far as we were concerned, the inquiry was over, so we were flabbergasted when we had this news," said the father of one of the alleged victims.

"When we saw the content of the letter, we were absolutely disgusted."

Mr Jones recently admitted to BBC Wales that he had been wrong to do what he had done.

He said he sometimes used "intemperate language", but denied he was guilty of contempt over his written comments.