The leader of Gwynedd Council has stood down after a row over his initial failure to apologise to the victims of a convicted paedophile headteacher.
Four council members quit the cabinet after Plaid Cymru’s Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn gave an interview to Welsh language broadcaster Newyddion S4C where he failed to apologise to the victims of Neil Foden,
In July, Foden was sentenced to 17 years in prison for sex offences against four girls.
The four councillors called for a public inquiry and an independent review of the council’s processes.
Cllr Siencyn later apologised and backed the call for a public inquiry.
In a statement announcing his resignation yesterday, he said it had been a ‘privilege’ to lead the council adding that this row had been ‘the most challenging for the council as an authority and for myself as leader.’
He added: ‘I am deeply sorry for the pain the victims and their families have gone through at the hands of this man, and they remain at the forefront of my mind.’
Plaid Cymru Gwynedd group chair Cai Larsen said: 'All group members wish to express their sincere gratitude to Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn for his work and dedication as leader over the past seven years. We wish him well for the future.'
