Plaid Cymru unveil new interim leader
Appointment follows the resignation of Adam Price
Plaid Cymru has unveiled its new interim leader after Adam Price quit over a damning report which found misogyny, harassment and bullying in the party.
Llyr Gruffydd MS, who represents the North Wales region in the Welsh Parliament, was unanimously nominated by the Plaid Cymru Senedd Group on Thursday morning, according to the party.
His position will be confirmed by the party's National Council on Saturday before a leadership contest gets under way to elect a permanent head by the summer.
Mr Price told members on Wednesday night that he was quitting as leader after a review discovered a "toxic" culture in the party.
Mr Gruffydd thanked Mr Price for his "commitment and dedication over the last four years".
In a statement he added: "Our focus is now on moving forward together to deliver on behalf of the people of Wales, and to foster a better culture within the party.
"I hope members will entrust me with the responsibility of leading that work until we elect a new leader."
Plaid's Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts said Mr Price was "becoming a distraction" after the publication of the report last week.
She said Mr Price had been a "game changer" for the independence movement in Wales but it was necessary for him to step down for the party to "move ahead".
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “I want to thank Adam Price for the constructive way the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru have worked together to develop and implement the Co-operation Agreement. These shared priorities are making a real difference to people across Wales.
“The Co-operation Agreement is an agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru – not between individuals. There will be discussions about the agreement in light of recent developments.”