Plaid Cymru leader says MP who assaulted wife should resign

Plaid Cymru’s leader has urged an MP who abused his wife to resign from the party.

Despite being readmitted to the party last week, Adam Price said Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, should’resign immediately.’

The 46-year-old was suspended in 2020 after accepting a police warning in May 2020 for hitting his wife, Emma Edwards.
The incident’s specifics are unclear, however Mr Edwards has said that he will regret his conduct “until the rest of my life.” The couple is in the process of divorcing.

The news that he will be permitted to rejoin the Plaid Cymru party in Westminster on Thursday sparked uproar, with Mrs Edwards calling the decision “appalling.”

Mr Edwards afterwards issued a statement condemning “vindictive and vicious organized political assaults” against him and announcing his decision not to rejoin the Plaid group.

Mr Price has now called on him to resign from the party, claiming that Mr Edwards’ position as an MP “sends the wrong message.”

‘As indicated, it is my unequivocal conviction that Jonathan Edwards cannot continue to represent Plaid Cymru in Westminster and should resign immediately,’ said Mr Price in a statement.

‘I also request that Jonathan Edwards quit the party.’ His actions do not reflect our values, and his status as an MP sends the wrong message to victims of domestic violence in Wales and beyond.

‘I’d want to thank Emma Edwards for coming up yesterday and let her know that her voice was heard.’ I’d also want to apologize to her and other domestic violence sufferers for the grief this has brought them.

‘Our disciplinary procedures must reform to place victims of gender-based abuse at the center of any investigations.’ This effort will begin immediately and with the seriousness and severity that it obviously merits.’

Mr Edwards was elected as the Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr in South Wales in 2010, succeeding Mr Price.

In 2019, he won by roughly 2,000 votes over the second-place Conservative candidate.

Mr Edwards said on his Facebook page that he accepts “full responsibility” for his conduct.

‘It is with great sorrow that I announce my resignation from the Plaid Cymru Westminster group to enable for a time of quiet thought,’ he added.

‘I would want to emphasize right away that I have never made any public statements about the events that led to my imprisonment or my marriage.’

‘My children have always come first, not my job.’ To summarize, my wife and I are reaching the conclusion of our divorce proceedings, and I will not reply to any remarks she makes while I am a Member of Parliament and our children are small.

‘I will just say that relationships are often tricky. I accept full responsibility for my actions, which resulted in my arrest and subsequent police caution. That day will haunt me till the rest of my days.

‘The last two years have been a time of serious contemplation during which I participated in a domestic violence awareness course, which has helped me comprehend the effect of my actions on others.’ The tale of a relationship, on the other hand, does not begin and conclude with a single occurrence.’ Throughout this time, I have completely cooperated with the party and its needs. I’ve never spoken publicly about my personal life or my worries about how the party was handling my issue.

‘I know some would disagree, but I believe we are in a very dangerous atmosphere when no one in the public realm is permitted to talk honestly about errors they make, to demonstrate true sorrow, and to strive to construct a better life.’

‘I am worried that no distinction has been made in any of the talks between an event and a pattern of behavior.’

He stated that he had considered suicide at times after the event because “my personal and professional life disintegrated and I was afforded no protection by the party.”

‘I am also worried that prominent leaders within the party have been abusing their positions of power in recent weeks by subjecting me to spiteful and vengeful orchestrated political assaults,’ he added.

‘My politics have always been motivated by a desire to establish a better society for our communities, and I hope that people in the party will continue to work on this and restore a healthy politics.’

‘I cherish my Carmarthenshire communities, and without their support, as well as that of the local party and my family and friends, I doubt I would be alive today.’ I’m especially thankful to Fflur, my new partner, who has showed me what love is and the delights that a good relationship can provide.

‘Over the years, the local party and I have fought many battles, and my gratitude for their unflinching support can never be described in words.’ I can’t, however, order them to march up a hill for me.

‘I’ve dedicated my whole adult life to helping the people of Carmarthenshire.’ They were there for me when I needed them. My focus now must be to restore my life as best I can and to serve the people of Carmarthenshire for the balance of this parliamentary term.

‘At this moment, I will not make any more public pronouncements.’