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| Plaid leader criticised for missing Queen Senedd visit | Plaid leader criticised for missing Queen Senedd visit |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones has been called "disrespectful" for being on holiday and missing the Welsh assembly's royal opening. | Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones has been called "disrespectful" for being on holiday and missing the Welsh assembly's royal opening. |
| Instead, Plaid AM Jocelyn Davies took his place in the line-up of party leaders greeting the Queen. | Instead, Plaid AM Jocelyn Davies took his place in the line-up of party leaders greeting the Queen. |
| Labour's Lynne Neagle said it showed a lack of respect to shun the opening. Welsh Conservatives called his absence "disappointing". | Labour's Lynne Neagle said it showed a lack of respect to shun the opening. Welsh Conservatives called his absence "disappointing". |
| Mr Jones is on leave, having extended his half term break, the party said. | Mr Jones is on leave, having extended his half term break, the party said. |
| The former deputy first minister in the last Welsh government will also be absent for Wednesday's plenary meeting of the assembly, including First Minister's Questions. | The former deputy first minister in the last Welsh government will also be absent for Wednesday's plenary meeting of the assembly, including First Minister's Questions. |
| The Anglesey AM is due to return to work next week. | The Anglesey AM is due to return to work next week. |
| Labour AM Ms Neagle said: "It's completely disrespectful for a party leader to shun the official opening of the fourth session of the assembly to take some time off. | Labour AM Ms Neagle said: "It's completely disrespectful for a party leader to shun the official opening of the fourth session of the assembly to take some time off. |
| "The fact that Ieuan Wyn Jones needs a rest is symptomatic of the current state of his party. | "The fact that Ieuan Wyn Jones needs a rest is symptomatic of the current state of his party. |
| "Plaid Cymru has looked tired for a considerable amount of time." | "Plaid Cymru has looked tired for a considerable amount of time." |
| A spokesman for the Welsh Conservatives said: "It is extremely disappointing to see the leader of a Welsh political party failing to take part in such an important and established event. | A spokesman for the Welsh Conservatives said: "It is extremely disappointing to see the leader of a Welsh political party failing to take part in such an important and established event. |
| "That he is currently on holiday during term time, when he is being paid to represent his constituents in the assembly, only adds to Plaid's embarrassment." | "That he is currently on holiday during term time, when he is being paid to represent his constituents in the assembly, only adds to Plaid's embarrassment." |
| In response, a Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: "The Tories would be better off focusing their attention on improving the disastrous policies of their own government in London, which is cutting jobs and services in communities across Wales. | In response, a Plaid Cymru spokesperson said: "The Tories would be better off focusing their attention on improving the disastrous policies of their own government in London, which is cutting jobs and services in communities across Wales. |
| "The leader's duties during the official opening were carried out by another Plaid AM, Jocelyn Davies." | "The leader's duties during the official opening were carried out by another Plaid AM, Jocelyn Davies." |
| Outside the Senedd where the royal event took place, people were asked for their views about Mr Jones' absence. | |
| Mary Prince, 79, from Cardiff, said: "He should have been there. It looks like he is being disrespectful to the Queen." | |
| Dave Taylor, 68, from Cardiff Bay, said it was "very bad" that Mr Jones did not attend, adding "he has a responsibility to his party and to Wales". | |
| "This is an important event today and all party leaders should be there. It's an abdication by him," he said. | |
| But Kathryne Sendeyo, 24, from Cardiff, said: " I don't think that's a problem, as long as someone else represents him." | |
| Four Plaid Cymru AMs boycotted the royal opening of the assembly's new term, with some attending an alternative republican day event in Cardiff Bay. | |
| Mr Jones announced he would stand down as party leader sometime during the first half of this five-year assembly term following his party's poor performance in May's assembly election. | Mr Jones announced he would stand down as party leader sometime during the first half of this five-year assembly term following his party's poor performance in May's assembly election. |
| He said it had always been his intention to step down before the next election. | He said it had always been his intention to step down before the next election. |