Jeff Jones apologised for his 'intemperate' comments

On Thursday, Children's Commissioner for Wales Peter Clarke decided that Councillor Jeff Jones is to be reported to the Attorney General Lord Goldsmith for possible contempt of court after he attacked the conduct of the so-called Clywch inquiry.

Mr Jones subsequently apologised.

The Clywch inquiry had been examining allegations of abuse by drama teacher John Owen, who killed himself two years ago shortly before facing trial over allegations by former pupils of Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen, Pontypridd.

Mr Jones had attacked the conduct of the inquiry and accused parents of the alleged victims of putting the Welsh language before the welfare of their children.

He had also called the inquiry a "witch hunt" and a "farce".

In a special hearing on Thursday, Peter Clarke ruled that letters Mr Jones wrote to him and to the First Minister Rhodri Morgan should be referred to the attorney general as possible contempt of court.

Penalties for such an offence include an unlimited fine or two years in jail.

John Owen killed himself before a sex abuse trial could begin

Mr Jones did not attend the hearing in person but was represented by his lawyer.

Parents of Mr Owen's alleged victims had previously told BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme they were disgusted by Mr Jones' attack on them.

They said they might still sue him for libel - despite having been given an apology.

"As far as we were concerned, the inquiry was over, so we were flabbergasted when we had this news," said one parent.

"When we saw the content of the letter, we were absolutely disgusted."

Mr Jones admitted to BBC Wales last week that he sometimes used "intemperate language", but denied he was guilty of contempt over his written comments.