Festival cancels event with ex-MP Jonathan Edwards who assaulted wife

A literature festival has cancelled an appearance by a former MP who accepted a police caution for assaulting his then-wife.

Jonathan Edwards was due to discuss his recently-published memoir at Llandeilo Lit Fest on 25 April.

But the festival’s organisers said they had decided “the potential for harm and distress to some individuals mentioned in the book is too significant to overlook”.

Edwards, who ended his 14 years in parliament as an independent after quitting Plaid Cymru, declined to comment.

Edwards was the MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr until he stood down at the 2024 general election.

Plaid suspended him after the assault on his then wife Emma at their home in May 2020.

His book, Into the Abyss, includes his account of what happened.

A decision by Plaid to reinstate him in 2022 led to a row within the party over his membership.

Edwards briefly considered running against Plaid as a candidate in last year’s election, before deciding to leave politics.

The festival’s event with him was originally billed by its website as “a must for Welsh political enthusiasts”.

But in a statement on Tuesday it said that “upon further review, we believe that the nature and content of the recently published book are not aligned with the values and principles of our festival”.

The festival said on Facebook: “Our primary concern is to ensure that our festival remains a space where all individuals feel respected.

“We have determined that the potential for harm and distress to some individuals mentioned in the book is too significant to overlook.”

Organisers said they were “dedicated to curating a festival that upholds the values of inclusivity and literary celebration for everyone involved”.