Wigley backs Helen Mary Jones

Helen Mary Jones is delighted by Dafydd Wigley's support

Plaid Cymru grandee Dafydd Wigley is backing Helen Mary Jones in her bid to become party group leader in the Welsh assembly.

Mr Wigley's stance is a blow to Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is one of three Plaid figures going for the post.

Mr Wigley was succeeded as party president by Mr Jones, who stood down after Plaid's poor performance at the assembly election in May.

The former Caernarfon assembly member said Helen Mary Jones would provide a perfect balance to Dafydd Iwan, who is standing for the separate post of president's post.

Ieuan Wyn Jones... is a first class party manager... and the question now is how do we move on Dafydd Wigley

Mr Wigley also said it would pre-empt an "absolute disaster" of a party split.

And following the hustings meeting at Bangor on Tuesday night, her campaign was further strengthened by two more declarations of support.

Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams and Caerphilly council leader Lindsay Whittle have announced they are backing her bid to land the party's top job in the assembly.

It comes after an interview with BBC Radio Cymru in which Mr Wigley said: "I decided some weeks ago that I would be supporting Dafydd Iwan for the presidency because of the need to create an enthusiasm and to catch people's imagination with a clear message for the people.

Ieuan Wyn Jones stood down after the May election

"If Dafydd Iwan does get elected president, then I believe there needs to be a balance in the party."

Mr Wigley said political analyst and former Plaid member Laura McAllister has suggested recently that "the party could break into two".

"I think that would be an absolute disaster and therefore there needs to be a balanced ticket."

Ms Jones, the former Llanelli AM, said: "Dafydd Wigley has been my hero and his support is great news, but it's the opinion of ordinary members that really counts."

Bookies' odds on Plaid leadership Assembly group Helen Mary Jones 5/6 Ieuan Wyn Jones 5/4 Rhodri Glyn Thomas 8/1 Party presidency Dafydd Iwan 8/13 Cynog Dafis 6/5 Source: Jack Brown bookmakers

But a member of Ieuan Wyn Jones' campaign team said they were confident that Mr Wigley's opinion did not represent the views of ordinary party members.

Huw Prys Jones said the Ynys Mon AM had the support of another former party president, Dafydd Elis Thomas, and Plaid parliamentary group leader Elfyn Llwyd, and their views were much closer to those of the party.

Mr Wigley said he believed Helen Mary Jones would the best balance to Dafydd Iwan's leadership as president.

"This is in order to get the message across to the non-Welsh speaking parts of Wales; the industrial parts of Wales; those who put the greatest emphasis on social policy - all strengths that Helen Mary has," he added.

Mr Wigley says Dafydd Iwan would balance Plaid's appeal

He stressed that rival runner Rhodri Glyn Thomas would make a very good leader as well in the assembly but he wanted a balance.

Mr Wigley denied that he was delivering a slight against Ieuan Wyn Jones.

He said: "Ieuan Wyn Jones has made a massive contribution to the party.

"He's a first class party manager and the question now is how do we move on following the election results this May, to re-establish the party in the eyes of the electorate in Wales?

"I'm sure that he will play a positive role within the assembly. If he is elected, of course, everyone has a duty to support him."