Neil Roberts, a Plaid Cymru candidate for the Caerdydd Penarth seat, has pulled out of the upcoming Senedd election. His decision follows the resurfacing of an old social media comment from 2021, which sparked criticism for its offensive nature. Roberts, who was fourth on Plaid’s list for the seat, has apologised and expressed his desire not to detract from the party’s campaign.
In his statement, Roberts said, “Years ago, I made a comment using online slang that was inappropriate and crude. I take full responsibility and apologise for any offence caused. As someone seeking public office, it’s essential to promote respectful debate. I have aimed for this since entering politics and will continue to do so.”
Roberts’ decision to step down comes just as another Plaid candidate faced backlash this week for historical social media posts about illegal drugs and women’s bodies. Oliver Bradley-Hughes called his remarks “careless” and attributed them to the lack of social media guidance when he was younger.
Although Neil Roberts wasn’t projected to win a seat in the upcoming election on May 7, his withdrawal ensures that the focus remains on critical issues impacting the community. Best wishes to the remaining candidates as they continue this historic campaign!