Bates to be absent from vital meeting

Thursday 11th February 2010, 11:08AM GMT.

bates_mick A leading Mid Wales politician was expected to be absent today from one of the most vital education meetings in Powys’s history.

The office of Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates confirmed yesterday that he would not be attending the emergency debate on secondary school education due to take place in Llandrindod Wells this afternoon.

Dozens of staff, parents, politicians and residents were expected to attend, including Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Opik.

Members of Powys County Council called for the meeting in response to its controversial review into secondary education, which could result in up to five schools being closed. They include Llanidloes, Crickhowell, Gwerny-fed, Llanfyllin or Llanfair Caereinion and Llandrindod Wells or Builth Wells.

Mr Bates, 62, from Llanfair Caereinion, has been accused of assaulting a paramedic on a night out. He has been relieved of frontbench duties and suspended as a sc-rutiny committee chairman.

He was taken to hospital after he fell down stairs and split his head at a Cardiff restaurant last month and says he does not remember what happened. The paramedic intends to press charges. Mr Bates’s office said: “He will not be attending any public engagements this week, including Thursday’s school meeting.”

Glyn Davies, Conservative spokesman for Mon-tgomeryshire, said: “I think National Assembly memb-ers need to be there because it’s a Government issue.”

View more: Mid Wales news, Powys news.