Math Wiliam, a former staff member of a Plaid Cymru Senedd member, has been subjected to months of harassment following his provision of information to the Senedd’s Standards Commissioner in support of an allegation against MS Rhys ab Owen. An anonymous social media account was set up to target Wiliam, who described feeling “unsafe” as a result of the prolonged campaign. “I couldn’t sleep. I had nightmares… It was an awful experience,” said Wiliam, who has alleged that his concerns were not taken seriously by the Senedd complaints system.
The harassment only ceased once the police stepped in after Wiliam identified Dafydd Evans, the uncle of MS ab Owen, as being behind some of the anonymous accounts. South Wales Police confirmed that it had received a report of harassment directed at a 37-year-old man from Cardiff on August 21, 2021. Mr Evans denies that he harassed Wiliam.
The incident highlights concerns about the Senedd complaints system, with Wiliam alleging that he had complained to Standards Commissioner Douglas Bain, the Senedd, police, and Plaid Cymru but that he received the same response from everyone: “there’s nothing I could do.” The Senedd did not comment when approached by BBC Wales, while Plaid Cymru condemned all forms of online harassment and indicated that it was strengthening its processes in light of the Prosiect Pawb report. A spokesperson stated that the commissioner offers an independent professional support service to complainants and witnesses during his investigation of any complaint.
Adam Price resigned as leader of Plaid Cymru in November 2021 after a report found widespread misogyny, harassment, and bullying within the party. The report was commissioned after Wiliam and others raised concerns about how complaints were dealt with and the wider party culture. Despite Wiliam’s involvement in the investigation into MS ab Owen’s conduct, it is emphasised that there is no suggestion MS ab Owen was aware of the harassment directed towards Wiliam
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