News

Adam Price’s Senedd return in doubt as Plaid Cymru selects new frontrunners

Published

10 months ago

June 1, 2025

Former party leader placed third on regional list for Carmarthenshire

ADAM PRICE, the former leader of Plaid Cymru, faces a major setback in his bid to return to the Senedd in 2026 after being placed third on the party’s regional list for Sir Gaerfyrddin.

Cefin Campbell MS and former AM Nerys Evans have taken the top two positions on the list, The Herald understands, significantly reducing Price’s chances of re-election. Under Plaid Cymru’s rules on gender balance, if a man tops the list, a woman must be selected second, and vice versa. With both top spots now filled, Price’s third-place ranking leaves him reliant on an unlikely surge in support.

The seat is one of 16 new six-member constituencies under Wales’s reformed electoral map. Plaid Cymru hopes to win at least two of the six available seats in the region, but strong challenges from Labour and Reform UK may limit gains.

Speaking after the result, Price said: “I would like to thank the members who supported me during this process and congratulate Cefin on leading the list. Our task now is to work as a united team to deliver Plaid’s best ever result in Sir Gâr.”

Unlike Labour and the Conservatives, Plaid Cymru’s selection process does not guarantee sitting Members of the Senedd a place at the top of the list. The party prioritises a competitive vote among local members and enforces gender parity across its candidate rankings.

Price led Plaid Cymru from 2018 to 2023 and was a key figure in the party’s 2021 Senedd campaign, promising a referendum on Welsh independence within five years if elected to power. However, Plaid came third in that election and later entered a co-operation agreement with Labour which resulted in policies such as universal free school meals.

His leadership came to an end following a damning report—authored by Evans herself—which highlighted a culture of misconduct within the party. Price resigned in 2023.

Further down the regional list for Sir Gaerfyrddin are former Llanelli candidate Mari Arthur, now working in green energy and marketing; Carmarthenshire councillor Iwan Griffiths; and Abi Thomas, who previously stood in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.

While a three-seat win for Plaid in the region is not impossible, it would require a particularly strong result on the night—something insiders suggest may be out of reach.

For many within the party, the memory of the scandals that led to Price’s resignation—and the controversy surrounding former MP Jonathan Edwards—still lingers. Despite recent polling boosts for Plaid, their commitment to reforming candidate selection could come at the cost of losing high-profile names like Price and economic spokesperson Luke Fletcher.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

7 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

7 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

8 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.