BBC News Online: UK Politics


Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Sport | Entertainment | Talking Point | High Graphics | On Air | Feedback | Help | Noticias | Newyddion |
Saturday, October 31, 1998 Published at 04:01 GMT

My 'moment of madness'


My 'moment of madness'
Ron Davies has spoken of "a moment of madness" which led to his mysterious resignation as Welsh Secretary.

And he denied that the incident was in any way linked to sex or drugs.

Mr Davies told police he was robbed at knifepoint after meeting a stranger as he strolled on Clapham Common and accepting a dinner invitation on Monday night.

He then collected another man and a woman before driving to Brixton, where the three passengers turned on him, taking his car, wallet and phone.

Four people arrested in connection with the inquiry remain on police bail but inquiries are continuing, police said.

A man is due to appear in court on Saturday morning charged with robbing Mr Davies of his car and its contents.

Speculation about the reasons behind his resignation have sparked a series of stories in the press.

In a television interview on Friday, Mr Davies said the circumstances leading up to his robbery at knifepoint were "bizarre", and a "gross error of judgement".

But he did not go into any more detail about the circumstances behind the incident.

He said: "It was a moment of madness for which I have subsequently paid a very, very heavy price and I am deeply sorry. I bitterly regret it."

In his first full media interviews since his resignation, Mr Davies refused to discuss questions about his private life. But he said: "I have a very long-term, loving, stable relationship with my wife, who has been marvellously supportive of me this week."

Shock and trauma

Speaking in South Wales, Mr Davies also denied the prime minister and other party leaders had pressurised him into resigning from the Cabinet and standing down as Labour's prospective leader of the Welsh Assembly.

"Tony Blair was very, very supportive and understanding, and I am deeply grateful for the way he has handled this matter as far as I am concerned."

Mr Davies, looking tired and red-eyed, said he was still suffering the effects of shock and trauma "after a pretty horrific experience" during the robbery.

Handy reminder?

Mr Davies went into his television interviews with the word "sorry" written in block capitals and black ink on the back of his left hand.

The MP's reminder note to himself was being widely interpreted as a sign of what he had intended to tell viewers as he once more denied gay sex or drugs were behind his resignation.


UK Politics Contents

A-Z of Parliament
Talking Politics
Vote 2001

Relevant Stories

Local executive supports Davies (31 Oct 98 | UK Politics)
Race on to replace Ron (30 Oct 98 | UK Politics)
Labour's tough task in Wales (30 Oct 98 | Talking Politics)
'Tortured' Davies faces the music (30 Oct 98 | UK Politics)
Resignation shows 'great dignity' (29 Oct 98 | UK Politics)
Davies quits as assembly candidate (31 Oct 98 | UK Politics)
Ron Davies: Full coverage (28 Oct 98 | UK Politics)
Davies' political career in tatters (27 Oct 98 | UK Politics)

Internet Links

Ron Davies profile

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.


Links to other UK Politics stories


Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Sport | Entertainment | Talking Point | High Graphics | On Air | Feedback | Help | Noticias | Newyddion |


Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©