11 May 2023 , 08:34
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Plaid Cymru's leader has announced he is quitting days after a damning review established after "toxic" reports of harassment, bullying and misogyny in the party's ranks.
Adam Price told members of the party's ruling body on Wednesday he will be stepping down once an interim leader is in place.
Plaid's finance spokesman Llyr Gruffydd has been nominated as the party's acting leader, subject to ratification by the party's national council on Saturday.
A scathing report earlier this month found the party had "failed to implement a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment" and that women had been "especially" let down.
It also criticised "a lack of collective leadership and governance across the party".
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Mr Price had apologised and said all of its 82 recommendations to "detoxify" the party would be taken on board.
But in a letter to the Plaid Cymru chair Marc Jones, Mr Price said it was now clear that "I no longer have the united support of my colleagues".
Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts"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", he said.
He added: "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.
"You have my personal assurance that I will continue to serve my country, my constituents and our party with determination and enthusiasm."
Mr Price had led the party since 2018, following time spent as an MP in Westminster before going on to represent Carmarthen East and Dinefwr in the Welsh Assembly.
Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts said Mr Price was "becoming a distraction" the report.
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The Westminster leader of the party told BBC Radio Wales that it had initially been felt that "collective leadership" was needed following the publication of the Prosiect Pawb report, to bring about cultural change.
"Then, a week is a long time in politics and in discussions with the Senedd members I think it became clear that Adam himself was becoming a distraction and in spite of our real gratitude to him and his legacy to Wales, frankly... that really that within that time it became necessary if we were to move ahead, that we needed to move ahead," she added.