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AM quits Twitter in McGuinness Queen row

Plaid Cymru AM Bethan Jenkins says she's going to stop tweeting. Labour criticised her for using Twitter to call the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland 'totally naive'. She was commenting on his decision to shake hands with the Queen.

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Bethan Jenkins 'appalled' by Labour criticism

Bethan Jenkins, the Plaid Cymru AM who has been a prolific user of Twitter, says she's going to stop tweeting. Her decision comes after Labour seized on her description of Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein as 'totally naive' for agreeing to shake hands with the Queen.

Leaving Twitter. I've been accused of trying to destabilise Northern Irish peace process in comments of McGuiness meeting Queen.

As a daughter of a mother from Ireland who had to live through troubles and someone totally opposed to violence I am appalled at this remark.

– Bethan Jenkins AM's final two tweets

The AM's republican views are well known. She tweeted about Mr McGuiness's decision on Friday. The tweet, which has since been taken down, used the Welsh term 'hollol naif' ('totally naive'). Labour say Bethan Jenkins and Plaid Cymru should apologise to both the Queen and to Mr McGuinness.

For Bethan Jenkins to behave so irresponsibly is quite unbelievable. She clearly does not understand the significance of the handshake. The people of Wales will be angry at her behaviour. Her party leader Leanne Wood -who herself recently snubbed the Queen on a visit to Wales during the Jubilee celebrations - needs to publicly apologise for this crass insult by one of her most senior AMs. Plaid Cymru need to get a grip.

– Labour MP Chris Ruane
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