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Hundreds gather for Lord Elis-Thomas funeral

Cemlyn Davies
Political correspondent, BBC Wales News
Athena A scene from inside Llandaff CathedralAthena
Hundreds of mourners are attending the service at Cardiff's Llandaff Cathedral, including senior politicians past and present

The funeral of the former Plaid Cymru leader and the Senedd's first presiding officer, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, is taking place.

Hundreds of mourners are attending the service at Cardiff's Llandaff Cathedral, including senior politicians past and present.

Lord Elis-Thomas passed away on 7 February aged 78 following a short illness.

The former culture minister represented Dwyfor Meirionnydd in Cardiff Bay for 22 years, having previously spent 18 years as an MP.

Elin Jones, the current Llywydd – presiding officer - of the Senedd described Lord Elis-Thomas as "one of the founding fathers of the Senedd" and said he had "dedicated his life to public service".

She said he had set the Senedd "and indeed all of Wales on a trajectory for the 21st century".

"He was well-liked by a lot of people, he was always very friendly and engaging and in particular, he was well-liked and respected across the political parties," she said.

"All of Wales will be remembering Dafydd Elis-Thomas today... and thanking him for his lifetime of public service to our country."

Plaid Cymru A black-and-white photo of the three men in dark suits, white shirts and ties with their hands behind their backPlaid Cymru
Dafydd Elis-Thomas (middle) was one of three Plaid Cymru Members of Parliament who were elected to Westminster in 1987, alongside Ieuan Wyn Jones (left) and Dafydd Wigley

Ieuan Wyn Jones, who was deputy first minister from 2007 to 2011, said he would not have entered politics without the support he received from Lord Elis-Thomas.

Mr Jones, who led Plaid Cymru from 2000 to 2012, said it was "difficult to encapsulate everything that he did in a short space of time".

But he thinks his work as the presiding officer of the Senedd and turning it from a "very fragile flower" into a "proper parliament" will be his lasting legacy.

He added: "I think that what you've got to remember is that Dafydd Elis-Thomas was a unique character and he wanted to see Wales in the way that he always thought best."

Although Mr Jones said "we all regretted the fact that he left the party", he thinks Lord Elis-Thomas "wanted to serve Wales in different ways and he managed to do that".

Athena Picture Agency Eluned Morgan, who is wearing a black jacket and a multi-coloured scarfAthena Picture Agency
First Minister Eluned Morgan will give a reading at the service

First Minister Eluned Morgan will give a reading at the service while opera singer Gwyn Hughes Jones will also perform.

The eulogy will be delivered by Lord Elis-Thomas' friend and biographer Aled Eirug.

Following the service, the funeral cortege will pass the Senedd in Cardiff Bay where he served as Llywydd for the first 12 years of devolution.

Athena A man in a black jacket and tie and white hair is standing speaking Athena
Ieuan Wyn Jones, the former Plaid leader and deputy first minister, is among the attendees at the funeral

Lord Elis-Thomas was one of only three Welsh politicians to have served in the House of Commons, the House of Lords and in Cardiff Bay.

He was a Plaid Cymru MP between 1974 and 1992 - serving as the party's leader between 1984 and 1991.

He was later part of the Plaid Cymru group in Cardiff Bay but left the party in 2016 to sit as an independent member.

PA Media A man with grey hair, wearing glasses and a grey suit and blue tiePA Media
Lord Elis-Thomas was one of only three Welsh politicians to have served in the House of Commons, the House of Lords and in Cardiff Bay

The following year he joined Carwyn Jones' Labour government as the minister for culture, sport and tourism.

Lord Elis-Thomas stood down from the Senedd in 2021.