Tories investigating former Welsh leader for comparing Capitol rioters to campaigners for second Brexit referendum

Former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies is being investigated by the party after he was criticised for comparing rioters at the US Capitol building to those who campaigned for a second Brexit referendum.

It comes after chaotic scenes unfolded in Washington DC on Wednesday as pro-Trump supporters stormed the Senate chamber where politicians had been gathering to formally certify Joe Biden’s presidential victory.

Authorities later confirmed that one woman had died during the violence and that three others had also died after suffering “medical emergencies”.

Sir Keir Starmer described the scenes as “horrendous”, adding: “These are not ‘protestors’ – this is a direct attack on democracy and legislators carrying out the will of the American people.”

But in response to the Labour leader, Mr Davies, who is now the Tories’ health spokesperson in Wales, posted on his Twitter account: “To be honest I’m not sure you’re in the strongest position right now given you campaigned to overturn democracy and the will of the British people”.

He also liked a comment on the platform which said: “Andrew was right to call out those who tried to overturn UK election results before the were implemented. They tried to do what they are claiming those in the US are, just in a more sophisticated manner.”

Alistair Burt, a former Tory MP and Foreign Office minister, described Mr Davies’ remark as “appalling”, and asked him: “Have you taken leave of your sense equating the two? If you are an office holder in any sort in the Conservative Party, resign now.”

The Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford added: “There is no excuse for using this moment to further entrench divisions in our society”.

A Welsh Conservative spokesperson told The Independent: “The scenes in Washington last night were disgraceful and unacceptable. We totally condemn them. We are investigating these comments.”

It is also understood Amanda Milling, the co-chair of the Conservative Party, is writing to Mr Davies over his comments on social media.

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner demanded the party take action against both Mr Davies and Susan Hall, the party’s leader on the Greater London Assembly, who also criticised the Green MP Caroline Lucas.

After Ms Lucas posted “democracy can never, ever be taken for granted” in response the Capitol rioters, Ms Hall said on her Twitter account: “Perhaps look up the meaning of hypocrite”.

In her letter to Conservative HQ, Ms Rayner went on: “To equate peaceful democratic debate in the UK with deadly violence in the USA validates the violence that we have seen in Washington DC, serves to legitimise and incite violence in our own country and undermines our democracy and democratic processes.”

Ms Rayner added that an urgent inquiry should be launched into the politicians’ comments, their memberships suspended, and for them to be prevented from standing as a Tory candidates at the May elections.

After criticism of his remarks, Mr Davies later on his social media account: “As I said earlier, the scenes that are coming out of Washington tonight are awful. They are completely unacceptable and an affront to democracy everywhere. Thankfully, elections in this country have never resulted in appalling incidents like those we have seen this evening.

“Violence must never be tolerate and I will work with politicians of all persuasions to ensure we never see scenes like those in Washington in this country. No-one should be in any doubt about my position on this.”