The leader of Neath Port Talbot Council has resigned following claims he became heavily intoxicated at a Welsh Local Government Association conference and made a threatening remark about Plaid Cymru.
Cllr Steve Hunt admitted he ‘should have exercised better judgement’ after growing ‘intoxicated’ at the event, though he denied allegations he had consumed an entire bottle of gin.
A witness told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the independent councillor, who represents Crynant, Onllwyn and Seven Sisters, had been boasting loudly about his drinking.
Hunt also acknowledged telling colleagues he wanted to ‘wipe out’ Plaid Cymru politically, but insisted the remark was ‘banter’ made during a late-night political disagreement rather than a genuine threat.
He said he apologised to the Plaid Cymru group leader the next morning. The councillor cited unspecified ‘personal circumstances’ and the pressures of leadership as contributing factors, saying he had viewed the conference as a chance to ‘switch off.’ He stressed this did not excuse his conduct.
Hunt has led the council's Independent and Plaid Cymru coalition since 2022, when Labour lost control of the authority for the first time in its history. He will remain a councillor, with a new leader due to be appointed on 14 October.
