Latest news with #LlandeiloLitFest
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Festival cancels event with former Welsh MP who assaulted his wife
A Welsh MP who accepted a police caution for assaulting his then-wife has been removed from a festival lineup. Former MP Jonathan Edwards has been removed from the line-up at Llandeilo Lit Fest where he had been scheduled to talk about his new memoir. Edwards had been the MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr for 14 years, initially for Plaid Cymru but later as an independent after he was suspended by the party in 2020 when he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his then-wife Emma at their home. Following a police investigation, Edwards accepted a police caution for domestic violence against his wife. READ MORE: 'Cruel' woman stabbed her partner to death in 'drunken temper' READ MORE: Animals being 'burnt alive' in 'devastating' wildfires in Wales He stood down as an MP before the 2024 general election after he decided he wanted to leave politics. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here. His memoir Into the Abyss includes Edwards' account of what happened and organisers of the festival said Edwards would no longer be appearing as the content of the book didn't align with their "values and principles." On Thursday they wrote: "The event was originally programmed as a discussion of a political memoir. "However, upon further review, we believe that the nature and content of the recently published book are not aligned with the values and principles of our festival. "Our primary concern is to ensure that our festival remains a space where all individuals feel respected. "We have determined that the potential for harm and distress to some individuals mentioned in the book is too significant to overlook." Edwards had been due to appear on Friday, April 25 of the weekend-long book festival. His appearance had originally been deemed "a must for Welsh political enthusiasts." Other authors who will be appearing at this years festival include Mike Parker, author of All the Wide Border and Manon Steffan Ros who is considered one of Wales' most celebrated writers. There will also be lots of child-friendly activities like Aardman workshops and hands on arts and crafts.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Festival cancels event with MP who assaulted wife
A literature festival has cancelled an appearance by a former MP who accepted a police caution for assaulting his then-wife. Jonathan Edwards was due to discuss his recently-published memoir at Llandeilo Lit Fest on 25 April. But the festival's organisers said they had decided "the potential for harm and distress to some individuals mentioned in the book is too significant to overlook". Edwards, who ended his 14 years in parliament as an independent after quitting Plaid Cymru, declined to comment. MP who assaulted wife to stand down Assaulted wife appalled by MP's return to Plaid Wife assault MP reinstated after legal advice Edwards was the MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr until he stood down at the 2024 general election. Plaid suspended him after the assault on his then wife Emma at their home in May 2020. His book, Into the Abyss, includes his account of what happened. A decision by Plaid to reinstate him in 2022 led to a row within the party over his membership. Edwards considered running against Plaid as a candidate in last year's election, before deciding to leave politics. The festival's event with him was originally billed by its website as "a must for Welsh political enthusiasts". But in a statement on Tuesday it said that "upon further review, we believe that the nature and content of the recently published book are not aligned with the values and principles of our festival". The festival said on Facebook: "Our primary concern is to ensure that our festival remains a space where all individuals feel respected. "We have determined that the potential for harm and distress to some individuals mentioned in the book is too significant to overlook." Organisers said they were "dedicated to curating a festival that upholds the values of inclusivity and literary celebration for everyone involved".
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Festival cancels event with ex-MP Jonathan Edwards who assaulted wife
A literature festival has cancelled an appearance by a former MP who accepted a police caution for assaulting his Edwards was due to discuss his recently-published memoir at Llandeilo Lit Fest on 25 the festival's organisers said they had decided "the potential for harm and distress to some individuals mentioned in the book is too significant to overlook".Edwards, who ended his 14 years in parliament as independent after quitting Plaid Cymru, declined to comment. Edwards was the MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr until he stood down at the 2024 general suspended him after the assault on his then wife Emma at their home in May book, Into the Abyss, includes his account of what happened.A decision by Plaid to reinstate him in 2022 led to a row within the party over his briefly considered running against Plaid as a candidate in last year's election, before deciding to leave festival's event with him was originally billed by its website as "a must for Welsh political enthusiasts".But in a statement on Tuesday it said that "upon further review, we believe that the nature and content of the recently published book are not aligned with the values and principles of our festival".The festival said on Facebook: "Our primary concern is to ensure that our festival remains a space where all individuals feel respected."We have determined that the potential for harm and distress to some individuals mentioned in the book is too significant to overlook."Organisers said they were "dedicated to curating a festival that upholds the values of inclusivity and literary celebration for everyone involved".
