Monday 25 May 2020

Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards arrested on suspicion of assault

I am probably  only avoiding accusation of hypocrisy  in reporting that a Plaid Cymru MP has had the whip withdrawn by the party after being arrested on suspicion of assault. as I havee covered reports of such news about politicians of other parties 
Jonathan Edwards, who has represented Carmarthen East and Dinefwr since 2010, was  apparently arrested on Wednesday 20 May.
Dyfed-Powys Police said a 44-year-old man from Ammanford had been arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of assault. He has been released on bail and the investigation is ongoing, though it is seemingly a month since the alleged incident.
Plaid Cymru confirmed it had withdrawn the whip from Mr Edwards.
This means an MP is effectively suspended from the parliamentary party temporarily and must sit as an independent until the whip is restored.
A Plaid Cymru statement said: 
"The party whip has been withdrawn pending the conclusion of a police investigation.
"Mr Edwards has accepted this course of action and is complying fully with the police enquiries.
"It would be inappropriate for the party to comment further at this time."
That of course is the point. Mr Edwards has so far not been charged  and the of course  publicly discussing cases sub judice may constitute interference with due process

There is a clear difference  on announcing someone had arrested (though not charged) and speculating on the nature  of the accusation , so I will be moderating comments to ensure fairness.


2 comments:

Leigh Richards said...

Astonished that nation cymru - a website i hold in high regard - has allowed unmoderated comments on its report of the matter

glynbeddau said...

Leigh. They have a policy of this , but though I don't believe in censorship surley decency and fairness means that they should consider apply some montering?