Plaid Cymru slam Eluned Morgan’s silence on Mandelson scandal

'First Minister in hiding' should call on Starmer to resign, says Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, has today (Friday 17 April) criticised the leader of Labour in Wales, Eluned Morgan, for being 'in hiding' by staying silent on the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer’s handling of the Peter Mandelson controversy.

Keir Starmer said it was “staggering” that he had not been informed that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting ahead of his appointment as US ambassador.

Mr ap Iorwerth said the situation made it clear the Prime Minister was “either lying or utterly unfit to be Prime Minister”. He urged Eluned Morgan to call on Starmer to resign, “out of respect for Epstein’s victims”.

Rhun ap Iorwerth, along with four other party leaders, appeared on BBC Question Time last night in Cardiff. Eluned Morgan was substituted by Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, who said Baroness Morgan was “busy campaigning”. However, it later emerged that she was at home hosting a Facebook Live session at the time of filming, which appeared to only attract 13 viewers.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "Keir Starmer says it is ‘staggering’ he was not told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting. What is truly staggering is that he expects the public to believe him. It is now clear that he is either lying or utterly unfit to be Prime Minister. "In the face of such serious questions, Eluned Morgan’s silence is indefensible. At a time when bold leadership is required, we have a First Minister in hiding, unwilling to speak out and unwilling to hold her own party boss to account. "

The First Minister has repeatedly said that she will call out Keir Starmer when necessary - this is one of those times when she should be doing so. She should call on him to resign, out of respect to Epstein’s victims and in the interests of restoring integrity to public life. "The people of Wales deserve better than a Labour Party that closes ranks and avoids scrutiny. Plaid Cymru will continue to stand up for transparency, stand up our country, and provide new leadership for Wales."

17 Apr 2026

Pure Politics