South Wales West AM Bethan Jenkins arrested for drink driving

Bethan Jenkins AM, the Plaid Cymru member for South Wales West, has been arrested for drink driving.

Ms Jenkins said she is "profoundly sorry" for her actions, after police arrested her in Cardiff as she was driving home from a friend's house.

A spokesperson for the Plaid Cymru group in the National Assembly said the AM has been suspended "while the process of justice takes its course."

"Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol is a reckless and irresponsible act, and we regard this incident with the utmost seriousness," the spokesperson said.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

In a statement, Ms Jenkins said: “In the early hours of Sunday morning I drove from a friend's house, where I was staying, in the direction of my home, whilst under the influence of alcohol.

“There are no excuses for what I did, and I am profoundly sorry. 

“I am fully aware of the seriousness of this incident, and the danger, to myself and to others, of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

“This is something I deeply regret and I will fully accept the punishment I am given.

“In recent weeks I have been receiving help from a medical professional and a counsellor to deal with a recognised health problem. There is no excuse for this incident, but I am clear that I now need to address this issue as a matter of urgency. As such, I am receiving professional medical support for depression, something I am only beginning to come to terms with.

“I will also be resigning my spokesperson role for the Assembly group on Heritage, Welsh Language and Sport.

“I would like to thank the police for ensuring the safety of others and that of myself in the action they took, and I apologise profusely to them for adding to their already difficult workload.”