A Powys councillor will appear before the public standards watchdog after he allegedly slapped a fellow county councillor’s bottom.

Cllr Edwin Roderick has been accused of slapping Cllr Emily Durrant at a Brecon Beacons National Park Authority meeting in December 2017.

The Public Services Ombudsman, which received the initial complaints about the councillor for the Maescar and Llywel ward, decided there was evidence to suggest that he “may have breached the relevant authority’s code of conduct.”

A tribunal is pending against Cllr Roderick by the Adjudication Panel for Wales, who will decide whether any sanctions should be imposed, however a date has not yet been set.

The panel’s role is to consider whether elected members of councils and public authorities have breached their statutory code of conduct.

The independent councillor allegedly broke three rules under the Brecon Beacon National Park Authority’s code of conduct including showing respect and consideration for others.

Cllr Roderick also allegedly went against a section of the code which says: “you must not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or authority into disrepute.”

And another section of the code which says: “You must not, in your official capacity or otherwise, use or attempt to use your position improperly to confer on or secure for yourself, or any other person, an advantage or create or avoid for yourself, or any other person, a disadvantage.”

Cllr Roderick has said that he does not want to make any comment at this time.

Cllr Durrant, who represents the Green Party for the Llangorse ward, was not available to make a comment when contacted.

A Powys Council spokesman said the council is aware of the matter and that Cllr Roderick is subject to the Wales Adjudication Panel investigation, but that he would continue with his duties as a Powys councillor during the investigation.

A Brecon Beacons National Park Authority spokesman said: "The Adjudication Panel for Wales process is ongoing, therefore it would be inappropriate to comment.”