Calls for 'Lord Tonypandy' pub to be renamed over 'scandalous' politician's actions

A popular pub and restaurant in the Rhondda Valley should have its named changed says the leader of Plaid Cymru.

Party leader Leanne Wood has set-up a petition demanding The Lord Tonypandy Carvery lose its name.

Ms Wood claims that George Thomas, a Labour MP who retired in 1983 and became Lord Tonypandy, played a "scandalous" part in the aftermath of the Aberfan disaster.

In a petition she says as Secretary of State for Wales he used the disaster appeal fund money to clean up the Aberfan tips.

The Lord Tonypandy is owned by Crown Carveries and advertises itself as as place for the whole family to enjoy its "traditional roast dinners and lunches exactly how you like them, any day of the week.

"With every plateful offering cracking value, it's no wonder locals in and around Porth, Tonyrefail and Pentre can't get enough."

George Thomas was a Cardiff MP who became Lord Tonypandy. Credit: PA

George Thomas was born in Port Talbot and became a Labour MP for Cardiff and later Secretary of State for Wales.

He was one of the first people on the scene of the Aberfan disaster in 1966 and was later involved in the controversial decision to use some of the money from Aberfan Charity Fund to clear the waste tips from around the village.

50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster

Leanne Wood Leader of Plaid Cymru has launched the petition. Credit: PA

There have been more than 500 comments left on Leanne Wood's website, some include:

A hospice in Cardiff named after George Thomas, which also runs six charity shops in and around the city says it has also considered renaming itself.

However the charity says it would be to connect with younger generation who no longer know who George Thomas is.

Crown Carveries told ITV Cymru Wales they "understood local feeling":