North Wales PolicePublication of a report into how a paedophile head instructor sexually abused ladies has been postponed simply hours earlier than it was on account of be launched.
A year-long inquiry into Neil Foden was on account of be revealed on Wednesday by the North Wales Safeguarding Board.
Foden, who was head of Ysgol Friars in Bangor and strategic head of Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Penygroes, was jailed in 2024 for 17 years for 19 sexual offences against four girls between 2019 and 2023.
However, in a short assertion on behalf of the board late on Tuesday afternoon, an official mentioned publication of the Little one Apply Evaluation was being postponed whereas “the board considers its authorized obligations and knowledge sharing additional”.
The board mentioned a information convention deliberate for Wednesday had now been cancelled and the council protecting the world the place Foden labored mentioned it was “extraordinarily disenchanted” by the change of plan.
Foden, now 68, of Outdated Colwyn in Conwy county, was branded an “boastful, controlling particular person used to getting his personal means” by the decide in his case.
In an announcement, the North Wales Safeguarding board, mentioned: “We admire that this can be a big disappointment to all these concerned not least the courageous girls and kids who’re on the coronary heart of this assessment. We are going to endeavour to offer a revised timeline as quickly as we’re capable of.
“These main on the assessment proceed with their tasks of focussing on the wellbeing of victims throughout this tough time, as has been the case all through the assessment cycle.”
The North Wales Safeguarding Board is one in all 5 such boards protecting Wales, established by a shake-up in social companies and welfare legal guidelines again in 2014.
They’ve a authorized responsibility to hold out a assessment in instances of abuse involving kids or a susceptible grownup.
Work started on the Foden inquiry again in August 2024, with social care skilled Jan Pickles appointed to steer the Gwynedd assessment panel.
She had beforehand undertaken opinions into sexual abuse on Caldey Island and the murder of five-year-old Logan Mwangi.
PA MediaFoden, who was arrested in September 2023 at Ysgol Friars in Bangor, had been thought to be one in all Wales’ most senior educating leaders and had been a nationwide spokesman for the career for a few years.
The trial decide described him as “wicked”, “boastful” and a “bully”.
Following his conviction, a BBC Wales investigation uncovered claims Foden might have abused kids for greater than 40 years, with way more victims.
It additionally led to a authorized case being launched in opposition to Gwynedd council by solicitors representing as much as 12 individuals who mentioned that they had suffered due to Foden.
The council commissioned its personal report into what occurred following considerations being flagged in 2019 however those findings have yet to be made public.
Gwynedd council mentioned it had solely been made conscious of the delay late within the afternoon.
An official added: “We acquired no advance discover and there was no dialogue with Cyngor Gwynedd about this. We’re presently awaiting additional clarification from the safeguarding board.
“Having waited for the report for thus lengthy and getting ready to behave upon any conclusions and suggestions directly, we’re extraordinarily disenchanted that the report is not going to be revealed tomorrow.”
