Plaid Cymru's Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts has apologised for the way the party has handled the allegations and suspension of one of her colleagues. The party has split over the handling of the conduct of Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards who accepted a police caution after assaulting his wife.
Mr Edwards accepted a caution following an incident at the family home in May 2020. He was excluded from the party for 12 months and told to reapply for membership after completing a course on domestic violence awareness. The group's Westminster leader has today said that "the voice of the victim matters above all else" and during the last few months she discovered "the party had not sought the opinion of the victim since the event in 2020". She says changes need to be made to the party's processes.
The handling of the aftermath of Mr Edwards' actions has led to criticism from different factions of the party. Mr Edwards has accused unnamed senior Plaid figures of subjecting him to "vindictive and vengeful coordinated political attacks". He also says he was left feeling suicidal. You can read his statement here.
Read more: Welsh MP who assaulted wife issues statement saying he was left suicidal
His wife from whom he is separated ahead of a divorce, then said she had been appalled by the party's handling of the whole situation. Her initial statement had 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.” She has now said she regretted the initial statement released after the incident, which was written by her husband's press officer. "I have since learned that he is presenting himself as the victim in all of this and this is why I am now seeking to set the record straight. I am appalled and disappointed that the party I was until recently a member of has accepted a domestic abuser to represent them as an MP." You can read her comments in full here.
There was also a split in the local party, many of whom supported Mr Edwards, and other party members.
Mr Edwards accepted a caution following the incident at the family home in May 2020. He was excluded from the party for 12 months and told to reapply for membership after completing a course on domestic violence awareness. He was then readmitted to the party but Plaid’s national executive committee initially said he should not rejoin the Westminster group. After taking legal advice the party changed its mind and said he could rejoin the group.
Last week Mrs Edwards issued a statement saying she was appalled that he had been readmitted to the party. Plaid Cymru said it was reviewing the situation again. Mr Edwards said he would not rejoin the party and on Saturday Adam Price tweeted saying he did not think Mr Edwards could remain an MP.
He said: "As stated, it is my firm belief that Jonathan Edwards cannot continue to represent Plaid Cymru in Westminster and should resign immediately. I also call on Jonathan Edwards to leave the party. His actions do not represent our values and his position as an MP sends the wrong message out to domestic abuse survivors in Wales and beyond.
"I would like to thank Emma Edwards for speaking out yesterday and for her to know that her voice has been heard. I would also like to offer my apology to her and all domestic abuse survivors for the pain this has caused. Our disciplinary processes must change to give victims of gender-based violence a central role in any enquiries. This work will begin immediately and will be given the urgency and gravity it clearly deserves."
The latest is a statement from Ms Saville Roberts where she says the situation has not been dealt with "adequately".
"Many people have been deeply dismayed by disagreements relating to Jonathan Edwards’ membership of Plaid Cymru in recent weeks. As the party’s Westminster leader and a longstanding campaigner for the rights of domestic abuse victims, I regret that we have not adequately dealt with this matter. Jonathan Edwards was immediately removed from the Plaid Cymru Westminster group following his arrest and caution for common assault against his wife in their home in May 2020. He was subsequently suspended from Plaid Cymru in July 2020 for a period of no less than 12 months.
"My guiding principles as Westminster group leader in this matter were twofold. Firstly, that the voices of domestic abuse victims must be heard. Secondly, as a party that believes in the rehabilitation of offenders, we must be willing to apply those same values to party disciplinary processes where there is sufficient evidence of remorse and contrition over a period of time.
"It is estimated that over 50,000 women experience more than 200,000 incidents of domestic abuse in Wales each year. I firmly believe that, given the prevalence of the scourge of domestic abuse in our society, we must be willing to act on the principle that offenders can undertake successful rehabilitation. It is, however, only possible where there is no established pattern of repeat offending and where perpetrators are willing to show genuine remorse and can provide evidence of credible steps to change their attitudes and behaviour.
"Mr Edwards was expected to satisfy an independent disciplinary panel that he had used the past two years to benefit from a period of deep reflection and self-evaluation. As Westminster leader, I put my trust in the judgement of that independent panel to decide whether he had met those conditions. Procedural advice later confirmed that the independent panel’s decision was final and that no additional formal decision could be taken by the Westminster group for the whip to be returned. As in all cases of domestic abuse, the voice of the victim matters above all else. It became clear to me that the party had not sought the opinion of the victim since the event in 2020.
"That is why I wrote to Emma Edwards in April 2022, saying that it was important that she should have the option to speak to someone in the party, and providing confidential personal contact details. Ms Edwards did not respond to this correspondence. I fully respect her decision not to do so. Just as the voices of domestic abuse survivors must be listened to, we must also always respect their right to privacy and agency in deciding how best to deal with their experiences.
"Mr Edwards satisfied the independent panel that he took full responsibility for his actions. As a party, we must now question the robustness of our disciplinary procedures, given that Ms Edwards disagrees with the validity of the remorse Mr Edwards had expressed to the panel. Ms Edwards’ statement shortly after last week’s announcement invalidates the panel's decision. If the victim does not accept and affirm the perpetrator’s contrition, all other standpoints become irrelevant. I therefore welcome Mr Edwards’ decision to step back from Plaid Cymru’s Westminster group, a decision which I urged him to take.
"I regret that we did not make further attempts to ensure that Ms Edwards’ voice was heard during the process. I would therefore like to join our leader Adam Price in apologising to Ms Edwards. I also agree that fundamental changes must now be made to our disciplinary processes.
"I would also like to recognise Jonathan Edwards' decade-long contribution to the Plaid Cymru Westminster group and his work for the party. I hope that by stepping back from the group, Mr Edwards will now be able to prioritise the well-being of his children without further distress".
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