Plaid Cymru party chairman quits over Jonathan Edwards MP decision
Alun Ffred Jones has resigned as chairman of Plaid Cymru due to his dissatisfaction with the way the party has dealt with MP Jonathan Edwards.
Jonathan Edwards has been allowed to rejoin the party after being suspended after he accepted a caution for assault two years ago. However, it was recommended that he should continue as an Independent MP rather than as a Plaid Cymru MP.
The Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP was banned from the party for 12 months in 2020 after receiving a warning from the police about the assault, and he has sat as an independent MP in Westminster ever since.
Alun Ffred Jones resigned over the recommendation by the party’s Executive Committee that Jonathan Edwards should continue as an Independent MP, S4C Newyddion reported.
Gwynedd councillor Beca Brown is now acting chair of the party until an election is held at their annual conference.
A Plaid spokesperson said: “The internal process of determining Mr Edwards’ membership of the Westminster group is yet to be concluded.
“Plaid Cymru wishes to thank Alun Ffred Jones for his many years of unstinting loyalty and service to the party.
“Alun Ffred has chaired the party’s National Executive Committee with dedication and professionalism at all times.”
Plaid’s Membership, Discipline and Standards Committee, which decided to readmit Jonathan Edwards to the party, said its decision “recognises Mr Edwards’ sincere remorse and extended period of self-reflection and learning”.
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The link could be a scam.
With all these shootings across your country – you may think 🤔 it’s best to express your concern by giving up your guns ?
Always room in heaven for a repenting sinner or a troll 😈 Richard 🤔
Is there a reason I can’t see the other comments?
Party decided you and I should not be in on these matters. Democracy is a funny old game, innit !
Yes more transparency definitely needed on this H
The report leaves one question open. Why did Alun Ffred resign? Was it because AFf wants him back under the PC whip, or because he feels that either/both no one guilty of domestic violence should be allowed back into Plaid Cymru and/or he won’t get reelected and PC would losethe seat? We needto know this to know whether or not we support AFf.
Good point
I thought that too. It’s very opaque and needs an answer.
Could the journalists at NationCymru report back with some clarity on this?
My guess is that Alun left as Edwards is anti-women, and cannot be forgiven.
I think you will find it is the other way round Alun Jones has resigned because the Executive Committee are not anti women and cannot forgive Edwards when Jones is! Leanne Wood is right when she says Edwards should never be allowed back- he is a wife/woman beater and always will be.
This is still as clear as mud to me. Is this right… Discipline Committee agreed to reinstate him as a member but NEC refused to reinstate the whip and AF resigned because of that?
Have I got this right? Jonathan is allowed back into PC, was elected as PC but can’t sit with the 3 Plaid MPs because some can’t forgive him? So what will happen when the next general election comes? Will he stand as an independent against a PC candidate foisted on Carm East & Dinefwr? That won’t go well, even if he doesn’t stand the next PC candidate would find following him difficult.