Year-long suspension for Jonathan Edwards MP from Plaid Cymru after police caution

MP Jonathan Edwards has been suspended by Plaid Cymru for 12 months after receiving a police caution for assault.

The MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr received the warning in late June after being arrested at his home in May.

Plaid Cymru’s disciplinary panel said that “a police caution was a serious matter”.

The panel added: “The lifting of the ban after 12 months is dependent on Mr Edwards appearing before the panel to show that he has taken time to self-reflect on his actions.”

Mr Edwards said he “fully accepts the disciplinary panel’s decision”.

‘Sorry’

Jonathan Edwards 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 said after the police caution that she had 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.”