Former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Elis-Thomas dies aged 78

Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the erstwhile person of Plaid Cymru, has died aged 78, his household has announced.

Lord Elis-Thomas, who led Plaid betwixt 1984 and 1991, died connected Friday greeting pursuing a “short illness”.

In a abbreviated statement, Lord Elis-Thomas’ household said helium died “peacefully astatine his home” and requested privateness astatine this time.

He represented the Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency from the founding of the National Assembly – present Senedd – betwixt 1999 to 2021 and was the archetypal presiding officer.

He was besides the MP for Meirionydd and past Meirionydd Nant Conwy betwixt 1974 and 1992, earlier being appointed to the House of Lords successful 1992.

He near Plaid successful 2016 and sat arsenic an independent, serving successful some Carwyn Jones and Mark Drakeford’s governments.

Rhun ap Iorwerth, the person of Plaid Cymru, led the tributes to Lord Elis-Thomas.

He said: “Dafydd’s passing volition beryllium a immense nonaccomplishment to Welsh authorities and the civic beingness of Wales.

“He was unquestionably 1 of the astir influential figures of his generation, and arsenic the presiding serviceman of the First Assembly made a priceless publication successful laying the steadfast foundations of devolution.

“We retrieve Dafydd arsenic a groundbreaking MP erstwhile helium became the youngest subordinate of the 1974 UK Parliament earlier starring Plaid Cymru with passionateness and distinction.

“Dafydd was a idiosyncratic person to my household and I, and was an influential fig during my formative years.

“His emotion for our nation, its connection and civilization was unwavering.

“On behalf of Plaid Cymru, I widen our sincerest condolences to Dafydd’s family.”