A former Powys County Councillor has been banned from being a councillor of any sort for 18 months.

Karen Laurie-Parry represented the ward of Bronlllys near Brecon from 2017 to 2022.

Earlier this year the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Michelle Morris received a complaint that Ms Laurie-Parry had broken the Code of Conduct and referred the report on to the President of the Adjudication Panel for Wales for adjudication by a tribunal.

The Adjudication Panel for Wales considers whether elected members of councils and public authorities have breached their statutory Code of Conduct.

The Ombudsman said: “It was alleged that the former councillor had disclosed confidential information, made vexatious complaints and complaints without foundation amongst other allegations.”

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The panel met last Thursday, July 6 to sift through the evidence and come to a judgment.

Following their deliberations, the panel concluded that that Ms Laurie-Parry had breached of seven paragraphs of the Powys code of conduct during her time as a councillor.

The decision has been welcomed by the Ombudsman who said: “The Adjudication Panel for Wales concluded that the former member should be disqualified for 18 months from being or becoming a member of the authority or of any other relevant authority.”

Ms Laurie-Parry said: “I have to respect the decision even though it saddens me that the Adjudication Panel hearing took place behind closed doors.

“The pressure I have been under has affected my mental health and wellbeing.

“It’s an experience I don’t want to go through again and I don’t intend standing for election in the future.”