Wigley 'conspiracy' is denied

Ieuan Wyn Jones has dismissed claims of a 'plot'

Ieuan Wyn Jones has strongly denied reports that he plotted against Dafydd Wigley in order to get him to stand down as party leader.

Speaking at Westminster on Thursday, the Assembly Member and MP for Anglesey said that Dafydd Wigley was standing down for health reasons and people should accept that fact.

He went on to describe Mr Wigley as a "statesman" within the party.

Mr Jones refused to respond to "anonymous" allegations that some members of the Plaid group wanted Mr Wigley to stand down.

Dafydd Wigley: 'Statesman-like figure'

When pressed on the issue, however, he said that there was no truth in the claims.

He also said that he hoped that there would be a good contest for the presidency.

After the announcement that Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones would also stand in the leadership election, Mr Jones declined to comment on what sort of leader she might make.

Ms Jones, who is chair of Plaid's assembly group and a former senior manager with the Equal Opportunities Commission, is the only other declared candidate.

On the topic of the assembly, Mr Jones said he did not believe it should have tax-raising powers for the time being.

He said it was more important that the traditional Barnett formula for funding Wales from Westminster was reviewed, to determine how much money the assembly has to spend.