A Plaid Cymru MP who was arrested at his home in Carmarthenshire last month on suspicion of assault has apologised after receiving a police caution.
It is the first time Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards has spoken publicly of the incident since he was arrested by Dyfed-Powys Police in Ammanford on May 20.
In a written statement, he said: “I am deeply sorry. It is by far the biggest regret of my life.”
At the time of the incident, a spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a 44-year-old man from Ammanford had been arrested on suspicion of assault.
He was released on bail and a Plaid Cymru spokesman said the whip had been withdrawn from Mr Edwards pending the conclusion of a police investigation.
Mr Edwards was not charged, but received a caution from the police.
In his statement, he said: “I complied fully with the police and acted with the best interests of my wife and children as my primary motive throughout.
“I have referred myself to an investigation by my party.
“My priority now is to work with my wife to ensure as stable a future as possible for our family.”
His wife Emma Edwards also gave a statement, saying she accepted his apology.
She added: “Throughout the decade we have been together, he has been a loving and caring husband and father. As far as I am concerned the matter is now closed.”
Alun Ffred Jones, party chair of Plaid Cymru, said: “We are aware of the personal statement made by Mr Edwards, who recognises his actions fall below what is expected.
“Mr Edwards issued the statement with the support of his family and we ask that their privacy is respected.
“[He] has referred himself to the party’s disciplinary committee and has been suspended. As this process is ongoing we will not be commenting further at this time.”
Mr Edwards has represented Carmarthen East and Dinefwr since May 2010 when he replaced Plaid’s Adam Price.
Dyfed-Powys Police said: "On May 20, a 44-year-old man from Ammanford was arrested on suspicion of assault. He was later released on bail.
"Following a thorough investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police, which included consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the man has been issued with a caution."
