McEvoy restored to Assembly group
PLAID Cymru AM Neil McEvoy has been reinstated in the Assembly group after apologising to a council officer he was accused of bullying.
Mr McEvoy was suspended from the group and had his portfolio removed by leader Leanne Wood after he was suspended as a Cardiff councillor.
He was also suspended as a councillor after the Adjudication Panel for Wales found he had shown “bullying behaviour” to a council employee.
But he has now issued a statement apologising and was restored to Plaid’s Assembly group.
He said: “I have reflected on the judgment of the Adjudication Panel.
“I stand by my actions in defending a single mother and daughter facing an unnecessary eviction.
“I maintain that my comment was not directed at the council officer, but I acknowledge that she has said that my comment caused distress and for that I apologise.
“The complaint was later made by a Labour councillor, and I maintain that the complaint against me was politically motivated.
“I am exploring with my legal team seeking leave from the High Court for judicial review of the Adjudication Panel’s decision. I will respect the verdict of that appeal.”
A Plaid Cymru spokesman said: “The Plaid Cymru group has agreed to restore the whip to South Wales Central AM Neil McEvoy. It follows a statement from Mr McEvoy relating to the recent Adjudication Panel ruling.”
The group added: “The temporary suspension related specifically to the Adjudication Panel ruling and the group considers this matter now closed.”
The officer involved had been involved in an eviction hearing at the Criminal Justice Centre in Cardiff where a constituent of Coun McEvoy’s was told she would be evicted. The independent panel heard that the officer believed Mr McEvoy had “threatened” her job security.
The case centred on the fact Coun McEvoy turned to city finance team member Deborah Carter and said: “I can’t wait for May 2017 when the restructure of the council happens.”
The panel also found he had failed to show respect to a council employee and that his behaviour was bullying.
It also said the councillor was “evasive” as he gave his evidence.
But it did not accept an allegation Coun McEvoy brought either the office of councillor or Cardiff Council as a whole into disrepute.
He was then suspended from the council for a month, which was followed by the Assembly group’s own suspension. Mr McEvoy has repeated that he will call for a review of the decision.