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Simon Thomas quits as Plaid Cymru AM after police arrest Simon Thomas quits as Plaid Cymru AM after indecent images arrest
(35 minutes later)
Simon Thomas has resigned as a Welsh Assembly Member and quit Plaid Cymru after being arrested by police investigating allegations of a serious offence. Simon Thomas has resigned as a Welsh assembly member after being arrested by police investigating allegations of possession of indecent images.
The 54-year-old married father-of-two was elected as Plaid AM for the Mid and West Wales region in 2011. The 54-year-old married father-of-two, who was elected as Plaid AM for the Mid and West Wales region in 2011, has also quit the party.
Mr Thomas, who was MP for Ceredigion between 2000 and 2005, has deleted his Twitter page and personal website.Mr Thomas, who was MP for Ceredigion between 2000 and 2005, has deleted his Twitter page and personal website.
The Assembly's Presiding Officer Elin Jones confirmed his resignation. Dyfed-Powys Police said an "individual from Aberystwyth" was released on bail.
She announced in a statement that "the Llywydd has received a letter of resignation from Simon Thomas with immediate effect." A statement from the force said an arrest had been made "on suspicion of possessing indecent images."
Plaid chairman Alun Ffred Jones said "it would not be appropriate to comment further" due to the ongoing inquiry. The assembly's Presiding Officer Elin Jones confirmed the resignation in a statement at about 10:00 BST on Wednesday, saying "the Llywydd has received a letter of resignation from Simon Thomas with immediate effect".
As the announcement of Mr Thomas's resignation broke, Mr Jones added the party was "aware of a police investigation into allegations of a serious offence". Plaid chairman Alun Ffred Jones said the party was "aware of a police investigation into allegations of a serious offence".
He added: "Due to that ongoing investigation it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."
The former librarian, who lives in Aberystwyth, was a special senior advisor to former deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones after losing his seat at Westminster and before he was elected to the assembly.The former librarian, who lives in Aberystwyth, was a special senior advisor to former deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones after losing his seat at Westminster and before he was elected to the assembly.
The resignation of Mr Thomas, a former leadership candidate in 2012 before dropping out, will not trigger a by-election as he was a list member.The resignation of Mr Thomas, a former leadership candidate in 2012 before dropping out, will not trigger a by-election as he was a list member.
Former AM Helen Mary Jones, who is next on the Plaid list in the Mid and West Wales region, will now decide whether she wants to replace him. Former AM Helen Mary Jones, who was next on the Plaid list in the Mid and West Wales region, will now decide whether she wants to replace him.
Ms Jones - who ran to become an MP in 1992 and 1997 - was an AM between 1999 and 2011, firstly representing Llanelli then the Mid and West Wales region.Ms Jones - who ran to become an MP in 1992 and 1997 - was an AM between 1999 and 2011, firstly representing Llanelli then the Mid and West Wales region.
"In something of a state of shock," the 58-year-old, who now works at Swansea University, said on Twitter."In something of a state of shock," the 58-year-old, who now works at Swansea University, said on Twitter.
"I have now got some big decisions to make in the next few days.""I have now got some big decisions to make in the next few days."