SENIOR Welsh Senedd Conservative politicians have called on Powys County Council to ensure that the Covid-19 lockdown will be used to 'excuse' the authority over the death of Kaylea Titford.

The Newtown teenager died in October 2020 and her parents, Alun Titford and Sarah Lloyd-Jones will be sentenced for her gross negligent manslaughter at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday, March 1.

Titford was found guilty at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday, February 7 while Lloyd-Jones pleaded to the offence last December.

Immediately after the verdict, Powys County Council promised a review of the case after it arose during the trial that Kaylea 'was failed by services'.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Social Services Minister Gareth Davies MS has said it is important that Covid-19 lockdown is not used as "an excuse".

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He said: "Kaylea’s tragic death was clearly preventable but was betrayed by careless and negligent people.

“But we need to see whether there was failure on part of the local authority and health board in regards to the case because we cannot allow poor practice to continue.

“We saw Covid being used as an excuse by Bridgend Council in the case of Logan Mwangi – that is an unacceptable situation and I certainly hope it won’t be used by Powys during the promised child practice review.”

Montgomeryshire MS Russell George added: "This is a heart-breaking case where a child with a disability was horribly let down by family members that were supposed to take of her.

“I believe the case also highlights one of the negative impacts of lockdown policies that severely cut-off vulnerable people from support lines – not only like friends, neighbours, and other family, but health and social authorities too.

“I eagerly await the outcome of the council’s review to see what can be learnt from Kaylea’s horrible death.”

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