Complaints Against Senedd Members Could Increase as Number of MSs Grows

There are concerns that complaints made against members of the Senedd could rise in the coming years as more politicians take up seats in the Welsh Parliament.

According to the latest annual report from the Senedd’s Standards Commissioner, the number of new complaints submitted against Members of the Senedd (MSs) fell significantly during the last reporting year. Between 2025 and 2026, a total of 86 complaints were received, compared with 136 during 2024-25 – a decrease of 37%.

However, outgoing Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain has warned that the recent increase in the number of elected members, many of whom are new to the Senedd, is likely to lead to a higher number of complaints in the future.

The report covers complaints received between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Of those, 21 related to members’ activity on social media platforms, while 12 concerned the misuse of resources. Another 12 complaints involved failures to update registered interests within the required four-week deadline, and nine focused on the standard of service provided by individual members.

A number of other complaints covered a broad range of issues, including matters linked to Welsh Government policy and subjects that fell outside the commissioner’s area of responsibility.

The report noted that many complaints were deemed inadmissible because, even if the allegations had been proven, they would not have amounted to a breach of the Senedd’s rules of conduct.

During the reporting period, only one member was found to have breached the relevant standards rules. Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders was determined to have committed a breach.

Reflecting on the findings, Mr Bain said the expansion of the Senedd and the arrival of many first-time members would almost certainly result in an increase in complaints in the years ahead.

He said: “The increase in the number of Members and the fact so many of them have not previously been Members will almost certainly result in an increase in the number of complaints received.”