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Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price to quit after review into ‘toxic’ culture in party

Adam Price, the leader of Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru, has told members he is quitting just days after a review found a culture of harassment, bullying and misogyny in the party.

His decision followed a lengthy meeting of Plaid’s national executive committee to discuss “next steps” after the Prosiect Pawb report made the findings.

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.

In a letter Plaid Cymru chair Marc Jones, Mr Price said: “We have driven the agenda for change in a way that no previous opposition party has dreamt of doing.

“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.”

The Prosiect Pawb report, published last week, said the party had “failed to implement a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment” and that women had been “especially” let down.

It said that inherent power imbalances within the party “coupled with inaction over many years from those with positions of power to challenge bad behaviour, has made a bad situation even worse”.

Evidence from an anonymous staff survey and elected members “highlight cases of sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination”, the report said, claiming: “These are not isolated cases.”

Mr Price had apologised and said all of its 82 recommendations to “detoxify” the party would be taken on board.

The NEC has approved a motion to allow the party’s Senedd Group to invite nominations for the position of interim leader at its meeting on Thursday morning.

This will be subject to ratification by the party’s National Council on Saturday, with plans for a new leader to be in place for the summer.

Mr Jones said: “On behalf of Plaid Cymru I want to thank Adam for his drive and vision over the past four and a half years. Adam’s personal commitment to making Wales a fairer nation is a lasting legacy of which he and Plaid Cymru can be proud.

“As we begin the process of electing a new Leader our unwavering focus will be on implementing the recommendations of Project Pawb in order to foster a new culture within the party, making it a safe and inclusive member led movement for all.”

Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies said that the exit of Mr Price had become “inevitable”.

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