Rhys ab Owen
Rhys ab Owen | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 12, 1987 Cardiff, Wales |
| Occupation(s) | Barrister, Politician |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Known for | Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central since 2021; Plaid Cymru spokesperson on constitutional and justice matters; longest suspension of a Senedd member (42 days) |
Rhys ab Owen (born 12 January 1987), also referred to as Rhys ab Owen Thomas, is a Welsh political figure who has represented the South Wales Central area since 2021.[1] Following an incident involving "inappropriate touching" of a woman during a social outing, he received a 42-day suspension from the Senedd, marking the longest disciplinary action imposed on any Member.[2][3] Previously affiliated with Plaid Cymru, ab Owen faced suspension in 2022 and was officially expelled from the party in July 2024. His father, Owen John Thomas, also served as a Plaid Cymru representative for the same constituency.[4]
Background
Born and raised in Cardiff, Rhys ab Owen is the son of Sian Wyn Thomas, a former headteacher, and Owen John Thomas, who represented South Wales Central for Plaid Cymru in the National Assembly for Wales between 1999 and 2007. He attended Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf located in Llandaff North before pursuing legal studies at the University of Oxford. Afterward, ab Owen completed the Barrister Training Course at Cardiff University and has been practicing law as a barrister since 2010.
Political career
In the 2017 Cardiff Council elections, ab Owen contested the Canton ward on behalf of Plaid Cymru, significantly boosting the party’s vote count from 910 to 2,105, although he narrowly missed election to Labour candidates.
During the 2021 Senedd elections, he stood in Cardiff West against incumbent First Minister Mark Drakeford (Labour), finishing third behind Drakeford and Conservative candidate Sean Driscoll. Despite this, ab Owen secured a seat as a Member of the Senedd for South Wales Central by leading Plaid Cymru’s regional list alongside Heledd Fychan.
Following his election, he was appointed as Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on constitutional and justice matters. He holds a position on the Senedd petitions committee and engages actively in cross-party groups addressing issues such as pubs, dementia, digital rights, democracy, faith communities, lung health, policing, trade union relations, and housing policy.
Inappropriate Conduct and Suspension
On 8 November 2022, ab Owen was suspended from Plaid Cymru pending an investigation into alleged breaches of the code of conduct. The Senedd's Standards Committee recommended a suspension lasting 42 days on 6 March 2024 after determining that he had "inappropriately touched" a woman and used offensive language. This suspension was ratified by the Senedd on 13 March 2024. He resumed his duties on 15 May 2024 following completion of the suspension period. The situation prompted demands for introducing a recall mechanism within the Senedd. In July 2024, Plaid Cymru formally expelled ab Owen and prohibited him from rejoining for two years.
Personal life
Ab Owen married Manon Eluned George in 2019; together they have one daughter. His personal interests include Welsh history, choral singing, family life, and chapel activities. Additionally, he is affiliated with the Ifor Bach club in Cardiff.