MP faces internal Plaid Cymru investigation after accepting a police caution

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards will face an internal Plaid Cymru investigation after accepting a police caution.

He was arrested on May 20th after an incident which he described in a statement as “’by far the biggest regret of my life”.

He had previously been suspended from Plaid’s parliamentary group, and has now referred himself to Plaid’s disciplinary committee.

His wife Emma Edwards says that she’s accepted her husband’s apology and considers the matter closed.

“I am deeply sorry. It is by far the biggest regret of my life,” Jonathan Edwards said. “I complied fully with the Police and acted with the best interests of my wife and children as my primary motive throughout.

“I have referred myself to an investigation by my party. My priority now is to work with my wife to ensure as stable a future as possible for our family.”

Her wife Emma Edwards also released a statement:

“I have accepted my husband’s apology,” she said. “Throughout the decade we have been together he has been a loving and caring husband and father. As far as I am concerned the matter is now closed.”

 

‘Personal’

Plaid Cymru party chair, Alun Ffred Jones, said that he would not be commenting further until the internal investigation was completed.

“We are aware of the personal statement made by Mr Edwards, who recognises his actions fall below what is expected,” he said.

“Mr Edwards issued the statement with the support of his family and we ask that their privacy is respected.

“Mr Edwards has referred himself to the party’s disciplinary committee and has been suspended. As this process is ongoing we will not be commenting further at this time.”

Jonathan Edwards was elected as Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP in 2010 and reelected in 2015, 2017 and 2019.