Plaid Cymru: Rhun ap Iorwerth confirmed as new leader of pro-Welsh independence party
Rhun ap Iorwerth has been appointed leader of Plaid Cymru, the pro-Welsh independence party, which is currently the third largest group in the Senedd.
Nominations for leader closed on Friday morning, with Mr ap Iorwerth the only confirmed candidate.
The former BBC journalist was the party's deputy leader and health spokesperson and has been the Senedd member for Ynys Môn since 2013.
Mr ap Iorwerth challenged Leanne Wood for the leadership in 2018 but missed out to Adam Price.
It was unclear if he would stand as he had been selected as the Plaid Cymru candidate for the same constituency at Westminster.
His appointment means the party will now look for a new candidate to challenge Conservative MP Virginia Crosbie in the three-way marginal seat.
Llyr Gruffydd was named interim leader earlier this month after Adam Price resigned following a damning report into allegations of a toxic culture within the party.
In a video posted on social media last month announcing he was standing, Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "In recent weeks we in Plaid Cymru have found ourselves at a crossroads."
"We've decided to face head on and immediately, serious challenges about culture within the party," he added.
"Every strong team needs leadership and if I can offer that leadership with them [the Plaid Cymru team], with you, well, I'm ready to do so and I'm excited about being able to do so."
Addressing his constituents, he added: "My country means so much to me as does my community and I remain as committed as ever of course, to Ynys Môn."
Candidates had until 16 June to put their names forward for the party's leadership.
Mr Gruffydd was unable to stand as a condition of his interim leader role.
The Senedd's Llywydd (presiding officer) Elin Jones said early on that she would not throw her hat in the ring, telling S4C's current affairs programme Y Byd yn ei Le: "Don't worry Mum, I'm not going to stand".
Plaid's other deputy leader Sian Gwenllian ruled herself out last week in a joint statement with fellow Senedd member Sioned Williams.
"We will not be throwing our hats in the ring as candidates for the Leadership of Plaid Cymru, although we agree with comments made by former leader Leanne Wood in an interview this week that a woman would have been the best choice to lead Plaid Cymru at this time," she said.
"We will campaign to introduce a new model of joint leadership for future elections which would be more inclusive and would bring equality to the role."
Delyth Jewell, seen by some as a rising star within the party, also said she would not stand.
"Your kind words are humbling. I will not be putting my name forward. I look forward to working with the new leader for the good of our communities, and for Wales," she said.
