Plaid Cymru suspends prominent member over controversial social media posts

Plaid Cymru has suspended a prominent party member included in its party election broadcast after allegations of anti-Semitism.

Sahar Al-Faifi faces an investigation into comments that she apparently made on Twitter & Facebook between 2012 & 2104.

Ms Al-Faifi appeared in Plaid Cymru’s party political broadcast for the general election, which aired on BBC Wales, ITV Wales and S4C on Thursday. She has also appeared extensively on the BBC and other channels.

The party said it will not tolerate anti-Semitism or racism “in any form”.

Ms Al-Faifa has been asked to comment on the posts, which were deleted some time ago.

In the broadcast, she said: “Activists, it’s us,” in a reference to Plaid’s slogan for the election campaign: “Wales, it’s us.”

Plaid Cymru said: “We have taken immediate action to suspend the person in question. We will investigate all allegations.

“Plaid Cymru will not tolerate anti-Semitism, racism or intolerance in any form. That includes the appalling abuse the individual has been subject to. It is not a part of the Wales we want to build.”

Plaid Cymru had previously posted a picture on Twitter of Ms Al-Faifi, who wears a face-veil or niqab, to promote the party election broadcast later that evening.

They then sent out a follow up tweet saying the post received “abusive Islamophobic responses” that are “unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

It finished: “We stand with Sahar and all Muslim people in Wales and beyond.

Wales is rich in its diversity. We are all Welsh citizens. We are all equal.”