Adam Price has told Plaid Cymru members he is quitting as leader days after a review found a culture of harassment, bullying and misogyny in the party.
It was a WalesOnline investigation which first exposed problems in the party. There is now set to be an interim leader in place for the party within days, a senior MP told the BBC on Thursday morning. The party's Senedd group will meet to agree the arrangements.
Mr Price announced his resignation in a letter to Plaid Cymru chair Marc Jones. He said: “We have driven the agenda for change in a way that no previous opposition party has dreamt of doing. The Cooperation Agreement was truly ground-breaking and has delivered life-changing benefits to our children, families and friends all over Wales.
“Our core driver – independence for Wales – has broken the banks of mainstream politics and now many, from all parts and all parties, believe like we do that it is a matter of when and not if. “My commitment to our vision of a nation transformed remains as strong as ever, and my energy for change undimmed.
READ MORE: Damning report criticises failures in Plaid Cymru's handling of sexual harassment
“You have my personal assurance that I will continue to serve my country, my constituents and our party with determination and enthusiasm.”
Party chairman Mr Jones thanked Mr Price "for his drive and vision over the past four and a half years". Mr Price has been the leader of the party since 2018 when he defeated former leader Leanne Wood and Rhun ap Iorwerth in a leadership contest.
His decision to quit comes following a special meeting of Plaid’s national executive committee to discuss “next steps” after the Prosiect Pawb report found a culture of harassment, bullying and misogyny in the party.
The report, published on May 3, found the Welsh nationalist party had “failed to implement a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment” and that women had been “especially” let down.
Mr Price had apologised and said all of its 82 recommendations to “detoxify” the party would be taken on board.
FULL STATEMENT:
Annwyl Marc,
There is much of which we as a party can be proud.
We have driven the agenda for change in a way that no previous opposition party has dreamt of doing.
The Cooperation Agreement was truly ground-breaking and has delivered life- changing benefits to our children, families and friends all over Wales. We can be proud of that work, as we can be proud of the work of elevating the independence argument from supper-table to street-corner conversation. Our core driver - independence for Wales - has broken the banks of mainstream politics and now many, from all parts and all parties, believe like we do that it is a matter of when and not if. Our progress as a party is testament to the unstinting work of our dedicated staff and grassroots activists whom I have had the privilege to serve and work alongside during these last five years.
Our nation as a whole has taken several steps forward. The fact remains though, in many areas, we haven't done enough. This is true of our nation, but it is also true of the party itself.
The inclusive, mutually respectful and proudly progressive independent Wales that we together champion, and that I will continue to fight daily to deliver, sits in stark contrast with the unacceptable behaviour revealed by the Project Pawb report.
The revelation of this culture led to our agreeing six months ago that a process of searching examination was vital, and that, if it was going to be effective, it needed to be transparent and unflinchingly honest. That is why I asked someone of unimpeachable integrity and deep commitment to undertake the work. It is the report's very honesty that provides the surest sign that the party is serious about change. We owe it to all those who shared their experiences reflected in this powerful report to deliver fundamental and irreversible change.
On receiving the report, I informed you that I felt morally bound to step down as Leader of the party in recognition of our collective failure. You counselled against my resignation as you felt it would make it more difficult to achieve progress in implementing the recommendations, a view shared by the Leader of the Westminster Group and other colleagues - and indeed by Nerys herself, who was afraid that my resignation would be an unhelpful distraction from the vital work of delivering her recommendations at pace. I was therefore persuaded by the argument that my stepping down would be an abdication of responsibility, and, as you know, throughout my leadership I have always sought to do what is best for the party.
However, it is now clear I no longer have the united support of my colleagues that would be necessary to follow this course to fruition. It is on that basis that I will be formally tendering my resignation as Leader of the Party next week once interim arrangements have been agreed and the employment terms of the Senedd Group staff employed in my name have been guaranteed.
My commitment to our vision of a nation transformed remains as strong as ever, and my energy for change undimmed. You have my personal assurance that I will continue to serve my country, my constituents and our party with determination and enthusiasm. Dros Gymru,
Adam
Tra
Adam Price AS/MS
Arweinydd Plaid Cymru Leader
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