Neil McEvoy

{{for|the Canadian football executive|Neil McEvoy (Canadian football)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Neil McEvoy

| termend4 = 3 May 2012
Serving with Judith Woodman{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7402847.stm|website=BBC News |title=Cardiff and Conwy coalition deals |date=16 May 2008}}

| nationality = Welsh

| website = [https://www.neilmcevoy.wales/ neilmcevoy.wales]

| profession = Politician

| otherparty = {{nowrap|Independent}} (2018–2020)
{{nowrap|Plaid Cymru}} (2003–2018)
{{nowrap|Labour}} {{nowrap|(until 2003)}}

| party = {{Nowrap|Propel (2020–present)}}

| birth_place = Cardiff, Wales

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|04|04|df=y}}

| successor5 = J. Austin

| predecessor5 = J. Singh

| termend5 = 10 June 2004

| termstart5 = 6 May 1999

| office5 = Cardiff Councillor
for Riverside

| termstart4 = 16 May 2008

| office4 = Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council

| preceded3 = Michael Costas-Michael

| termstart3 = 1 May 2008

| office3 = Cardiff Councillor
for Fairwater

| office2 = Member of the Senedd
for South Wales Central

| predecessor2 = Leanne Wood

| successor2 = Heledd Fychan

| termstart2 = 5 May 2016

| termend2 = 29 April 2021

| predecessor1 = Party established

| termstart1 = 15 January 2020

| office1 = Leader of Propel

| image = Neil McEvoy AM (28092346611) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Official Welsh Assembly portrait, 2016

| spouse = Ceri McEvoy

| children = 1 daughter

}}

Neil John McEvoy (born 1970) is a Welsh nationalist politician, serving as leader of Propel since 2020, and as a Cardiff Councillor for the Fairwater ward since 2008.

Additionally, McEvoy was a Member of the Senedd (MS) for the South Wales central region from 2016 to 2021.

He was elected to the Senedd, then known as the Welsh Assembly, on the Plaid Cymru regional list, under the Additional Member System, and later sat as an independent. In February 2020, he announced that he was forming a new political party, the Welsh National Party, later renamed as Propel.

Early life and career

McEvoy was born in 1970 in Cardiff.{{cite web|url=http://www.jomec.co.uk/intercardiff/politics-social-justice/plaids-man-in-cardiff-neil-mcevoys-political-journey|title=Plaid's Man in Cardiff: Neil McEvoy's Political Journey|date=9 December 2016|website=InterCardiff|language=en-US|access-date=5 September 2019|archive-date=5 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905190515/http://www.jomec.co.uk/intercardiff/politics-social-justice/plaids-man-in-cardiff-neil-mcevoys-political-journey|url-status=live}}"MCEVOY Neil John / SALEH / Cardiff 8b 689", in Births Jun 1970, freebmd.org.uk, accessed 25 June 2021{{better source needed |reason=freebmd.org.uk is based on information from primary sources and the transcription may be user-generated.|date=August 2021}} His maternal grandfather was a Yemeni who came to Cardiff to work on the docks, and he has spoken about the contribution that Yemenis made to Britain in the Second World War.{{cite news |last1=McKern |first1=Bethan |title=In one Welsh mosque, the disaster in Yemen hits home hard |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/23/wales-cardiff-mosque-yemen-disaster-hits-home |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=23 December 2018}} McEvoy previously trained and worked as a teacher of modern languages.{{cite web|url=https://www.cardiffplaid.wales/neil_mcevoy|title=Neil McEvoy|website=Cardiff Plaid|access-date=22 October 2019|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022114140/https://www.cardiffplaid.wales/neil_mcevoy|url-status=live}}

Political career

McEvoy was elected to Cardiff Council as Welsh Labour Councillor for Riverside in 1999{{cite web |url=http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Cardiff-1995-2012.pdf |title=Results |publisher=www.electionscentre.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2021-05-11 |archive-date=5 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105212347/http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Cardiff-1995-2012.pdf |url-status=live }} and later became vice-chair of the Labour council group, he defected to Plaid Cymru in 2003.{{cite web|url=https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/21878|title=NEW RECRUIT FOR PLAID CYMRU FROM THE LABOUR PARTY - Early Day Motions|website=edm.parliament.uk|access-date=22 October 2019|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022114137/https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/21878|url-status=live}} He lost his seat in Riverside in 2004, but was elected in 2008 in the Fairwater ward. He then became Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council between 2008 and 2012 under a Liberal Democrat-Plaid Cymru coalition administration. In 2012 he was re-elected to represent Fairwater.

McEvoy stood as a Plaid Cymru candidate in the 2007 National Assembly for Wales election in Cardiff West.

In 2012, as a councillor, McEvoy presented a petition in the Welsh language, resulting in an argument with representatives of other parties. Despite protests, McEvoy declined to speak in English at the council meeting.{{cite web|url=http://yourcardiff.mediawales-1.titaninternet.co.uk/2012/11/26/welsh-language-row-between-fairwater-councillors-over-footbridge-petition/|title=Welsh language row between Fairwater councillors over footbridge petition|website=Cardiff Council|date=26 November 2012|access-date=18 January 2018|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118010852/http://yourcardiff.mediawales-1.titaninternet.co.uk/2012/11/26/welsh-language-row-between-fairwater-councillors-over-footbridge-petition/|url-status=live}}

In September 2012, despite Plaid's decision not to put forward any candidates for Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections, McEvoy said that he wanted to stand for the PCC for South Wales Police.{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/neil-mcevoy-says-wants-stand-2023572|title=Neil McEvoy says he wants to stand for police commissioner role|first=Peter|last=Law|date=5 September 2012|website=walesonline|access-date=7 March 2017|archive-date=8 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308045414/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/neil-mcevoy-says-wants-stand-2023572|url-status=live}} McEvoy did not stand, Plaid did not put forward a candidate, and subsequently former MP Alun Michael won the position for Welsh Labour.

=Member of the Senedd=

In July 2015, McEvoy was narrowly beaten by Plaid Cymru Party leader Leanne Wood in the contest for first place on the party list for the 2016 Assembly election, but gained second place.{{cite web|title=Plaid Cymru leader Wood in narrow win to top party list|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-33402067|website=BBC Wales News|access-date=19 June 2015|archive-date=5 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705201916/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-33402067|url-status=live}} In May 2016, he was elected as Member of the Senedd, then known as the Welsh Assembly, on the Plaid Cymru regional list, under the Additional Member System.{{cite web|title=Welsh Election 2016: Labour just short as UKIP wins seats|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-wales-36207410|website=BBC Wales News|access-date=7 May 2016|archive-date=3 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203154058/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2016-wales-36207410|url-status=live}}

McEvoy also stood as a constituency candidate for Cardiff West once more in the 2016 Assembly elections, which saw Plaid Cymru's share of the vote increase by 11.9%. The incumbent AM, Labour's Mark Drakeford, saw his majority reduced to 1,176 votes,{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/wales-constituencies/W09000029 | title=Wales elections > Cardiff West | work=BBC News | date=6 May 2016 | access-date=21 June 2018 | archive-date=16 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116192508/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/wales-constituencies/W09000029 | url-status=live }} with the Conservatives in third place.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/constituency/html/26675.stm | title=Wales elections > Cardiff West | work=BBC News | date=6 May 2011 | access-date=21 June 2018 | archive-date=29 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129185751/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/constituency/html/26675.stm | url-status=live }} McEvoy was elected for the regional seat of South Wales Central.

After election to the Assembly, McEvoy continued to serve as a councillor on Cardiff Council, receiving the councillor's basic allowance of £13,300 in addition to the Senedd salary of £64,000. His Labour Party opponents described this as hypocrisy, saying that he had previously said it was wrong for people in public office to be a councillor and to work in another job.{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-assembly-member-neil-mcevoy-11352894|title=New Assembly Member Neil McEvoy to take councillor salary|first=Ruth|last=Mosalski|date=18 May 2016|website=walesonline|access-date=7 March 2017|archive-date=8 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308043857/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-assembly-member-neil-mcevoy-11352894|url-status=live}} McEvoy later commented that there was a complete synergy between the two roles, making him more effective at both, and that he was donating his pay as a councillor to his community.

In the run-up to the 2017 Cardiff Council election, Wales Online described McEvoy as "arguably the most divisive frontline elected politician in Wales right now" who, despite being "at the forefront of an unprecedented growth of Plaid support and membership in Cardiff" had a "sometimes difficult relationship" with his adopted party, Plaid Cymru.{{cite news | author=Ruth Mosalski | url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/who-neil-mcevoy-plaid-politician-12901511 | title=Who is Neil McEvoy, the Plaid politician who thinks he can be the next leader of Cardiff council? | work=Wales Online | date=16 April 2017 | access-date=12 November 2017 | archive-date=13 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060158/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/who-neil-mcevoy-plaid-politician-12901511 | url-status=live }}

McEvoy has, contrary to the policy of Plaid Cymru, supported the continuation of the Right to Buy scheme in Wales.David Deans (13 September 2017) [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-41253107 "Plaid Cymru AMs McEvoy and Jenkins in right-to-buy row"], BBC News. He opposed the Welsh Government's Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020 which saw most forms of corporal punishment of children prohibited.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/neiljmcevoy/status/818534334290391042 |title=Tweet |website=twitter.com|accessdate=2021-05-11}}

In August 2019 McEvoy gave an Assembly speech informing First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford of costs of up to £245 to change lightbulbs under the Welsh Government Warm Homes/Arbed Am Byth scheme.{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/assembly-members-joke-cost-lightbulb-16752799|title=An AM's joke about the cost of a lightbulb has led to a huge row|last=Mosalski|first=Ruth|date=14 August 2019|website=walesonline|access-date=5 September 2019|archive-date=14 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914045514/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/assembly-members-joke-cost-lightbulb-16752799|url-status=live}} Drakeford responded to the claims with a letter stating that costs of £245 represented work including lighting fitting in "not less than 80% of all fixed outlets" in homes, as opposed to £245 for individual lightbulb fittings. McEvoy responded by accusing the First Minister of discussing the matter with Arbed Am Byth alone, and not investigating contractors directly. He stated that he was unable to disclose details of his "whistle-blowers" to the First Minister, but would be contacting the Auditor General for Wales.

Also in August 2019, McEvoy was included in a list of the AMs with the largest budgets for staff and constituency office costs in the Assembly.{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/wales-national-assembly-politics-ams-16640796|title=These are the AMs who spend the most public money on staff|last=Hayward|first=Will|date=4 August 2019|website=walesonline|access-date=5 September 2019|archive-date=5 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905185736/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/wales-national-assembly-politics-ams-16640796|url-status=live}} He was described as budgeting £115,865 for his office, which McEvoy described as necessary to deal with "an enormous amount of casework" and stated his "office is far busier than the local Westminster MP". His budget was the largest of any AMs in the Assembly.

==2019 Plaid Cymru conference debates==

McEvoy contributed to the debate around the Plaid Cymru conference, which was scheduled for 4 and 5 October 2019 in Swansea Grand Theatre. He voiced opinions on matters including the election for a Chair. Incumbent Chair Alun Ffred Jones, who presided over the party during McEvoy's disciplinary issues, was challenged by Dr Dewi Evans,[45] an ally of McEvoy, who was nominated alongside seven other prospective party officials by McEvoy's home Plaid branch of West Cardiff. It was reported in July 2019 that the Plaid Cymru leadership feared a "Neil McEvoy takeover bid".[46] Candidates nominated by the Cardiff West constituency party included a former barrister who had represented McEvoy, and others perceived[clarification needed] as allies.[45]

Dr Evans argued for reform of the party's extension system.[45] In response to these proposals, Jones argued that the role of the Chair did not extend to re-admitting expelled members, and that the Plaid National Conference would need to discuss issues such as McEvoy's membership of the party.[45] Plaid leader Adam Price, in an op-ed for Nation.Cymru, criticised "reports of a concerted attempt by some non-members of Plaid Cymru to intervene in our democracy", a criticism which some commentators[who?] said was a reference to McEvoy's efforts during the Plaid conference to replace incumbent Chair Jones.[46] Plaid AM Rhun ap Iorwerth tweeted regarding McEvoy "Don’t misunderstand me. His personality is a problem, but it goes far beyond ‘not liking [McEvoy]. If anyone – for reasons of personality or otherwise – bullies, undermines, threatens, challenges legally… time after time... it’s a problem."[46]

=Foundation of the Welsh National Party=

In July 2019 McEvoy withdrew his application to rejoin Plaid Cymru.[39] In February 2020, he announced that he was forming a new political party, the Welsh National Party, and that he had registered the name with the Electoral Commission. The launch of the party was planned for April 2020.[48][49]

On 6 May, following the threat of legal action from Plaid Cymru over its registration of the new party's name, the Electoral Commission removed the name "Welsh National" Party from the register of political parties, and stated that a second application to register a different name would have to be made.[50] In response, McEvoy described the decision as representing "a shameful day for democracy" and said that the party was seeking 'urgent legal advice' as well as a statement from the Speaker's Committee, who oversee the Electoral Commission.[51] On 15 January 2021, the name "Welsh Nation Party" was also rejected. McEvoy said "we will be known as Propel from now on".[52]

==2021 Senedd election==

In July 2019, McEvoy's membership dispute with the party became particularly acute, given his stated intention to stand again in Cardiff West in the 2021 Senedd election, challenging Labour’s Mark Drakeford, now First Minister.[38] Plaid viewed the seat as an important target, given the close result in 2016, and feared that McEvoy would split the nationalist vote, if both he and a Plaid Cymru candidate were to stand.[citation needed]

In the election, McEvoy came fourth in the constituency with 3,473 votes (9.5%).{{cite news|title = Cardiff West - Welsh Parliament constituency - BBC News|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/wales/constituencies/W09000029|work = BBC News|access-date = 8 February 2025|archive-date = 2 August 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230802041905/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/wales/constituencies/W09000029|url-status = live}}{{cite web|title = results for Cardiff West, 6 May 2021: Cardiff Council|url = https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?XXR=0&ID=132&RPID=3207874&LLL=0|website = Cardiff Council|access-date = 8 February 2025|archive-date = 23 January 2025|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250123140531/https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?XXR=0&ID=132&RPID=3207874&LLL=0|url-status = live}} He was also Propel's lead candidate on the regional list, though the party finished seventh, polling 5,552 votes (2.2%).{{cite news|title = South Wales Central - BBC News|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/wales/regions/W10000007|work = BBC News|access-date = 8 February 2025|archive-date = 31 May 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240531161204/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/wales/regions/W10000007|url-status = live}}{{cite web|title = Election results for South Wales Central, 6 May 2021|url = https://business.senedd.wales/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=351|website = Senedd Cymru|access-date = 8 February 2025}}

As he was not re-elected, McEvoy was entitled to a payout given to Senedd members who lost their seats, receiving £28,187.{{cite news|title = Almost £400,000 was paid to defeated Members of the Senedd after the election|url = https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/amounts-defeated-members-senedd-payoffs-20829064|work = Wales Online|date = 16 June 2021|access-date = 8 February 2025|archive-date = 21 January 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220121134134/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/amounts-defeated-members-senedd-payoffs-20829064|url-status = live}}{{cite news|title = Former Senedd members paid £632,000 for 'resettlement' - BBC News|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-57511822|work = BBC News|date = 17 June 2021|access-date = 8 February 2025|archive-date = 8 March 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230308004843/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-57511822|url-status = live}}

==Post-Senedd==

He was reelected councillor in Fairwater in the 2022 Cardiff Council election.[53]

At the 2024 general election, McEvoy was the only Propel candidate to stand.{{cite news|title = 2024 UK General Election Results for the Propel Party|url = https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2024-uk-election-results/parties/propel/|work = Bloomberg|date = 6 July 2024|access-date = 8 February 2025}} He took 1,041 votes (2.3%), coming seventh in Cardiff West.{{cite web|title = Results for the UK general election on 4 July 2024 - Elections contested by Propel|url = https://electionresults.parliament.uk/general-elections/6/political-parties/273/elections|website = UK Parliament|access-date = 8 February 2025|archive-date = 10 December 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241210053638/https://electionresults.parliament.uk/general-elections/6/political-parties/273/elections|url-status = live}}{{cite web|title = Election results for Cardiff West, 4 July 2024: Cardiff Council|url = https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=265|website = Cardiff Council|access-date = 8 February 2025}}

Controversies

In November 2011 in a Facebook post, McEvoy accused the charity Welsh Women's Aid of "publicly funded child abuse" and claimed they supported women in breaking court orders on fathers' access to children.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-15947940|title=Councillor's Facebook post rebuke|date=29 November 2011|via=BBC News|access-date=22 October 2019|archive-date=7 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207032323/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-15947940|url-status=live}} He was subsequently suspended by Plaid Cymru, and after investigation was allowed to return. McEvoy apologised for the words he used, but did not withdraw the allegations.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-wales-politics-16006976|title=Cardiff councillor Neil McEvoy apology in Facebook row|date=2 December 2011|via=BBC News|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=3 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103110031/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-wales-politics-16006976|url-status=live}}

In Council elections in May 2011, Welsh Labour ward opponent Michael Michael distributed leaflets of Only Fools and Horses character Del Boy with McEvoy's face imposed on them.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10677598/Councillor-sues-rival-for-giving-out-leaflets-of-him-pictured-as-Del-Boy.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905190511/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10677598/Councillor-sues-rival-for-giving-out-leaflets-of-him-pictured-as-Del-Boy.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 September 2019|title=Councillor sues rival for giving out leaflets of him pictured as Del Boy|author=News agencies|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=30 November 2002|access-date=5 September 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}} McEvoy subsequently sued Michael for libel, but withdrew the case in December 2015. By withdrawing the case, McEvoy became liable for Michael's legal costs, and in January 2016, McEvoy agreed to pay Michael £120,000 in respect of those costs. The sum represented a quarter of the cost of the preliminary issues, and all costs after April 2013.{{cite news |author=Martin Shipton |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/cardiff-councillor-faces-120k-bill-10676002 |title=Cardiff councillor faces £120k bill and a legal charge on his home after withdrawing a libel case |work=Wales Online |date=1 January 2016 |access-date=12 November 2017 |archive-date=12 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112185547/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/cardiff-councillor-faces-120k-bill-10676002 |url-status=live }} McEvoy paid an initial sum of £50,000, and agreed a payment plan with Michael and his lawyers, which included Michael having a legal charge imposed on McEvoy's home.

In March 2017 a Cardiff Council tribunal found a comment that McEvoy made to a council officer after a tenant's eviction hearing in 2015 amounted to "bullying behaviour".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-39191655 |title=Neil McEvoy suspended from Plaid Cymru Senedd group |work=BBC News |date=7 March 2017 |access-date=12 November 2017 |archive-date=2 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202195751/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-39191655 |url-status=live }} The Adjudication Panel for Wales ruled he broke Cardiff council's code of conduct but did not bring the council into disrepute. After the hearing, Mr McEvoy described the panel proceedings as a "farce", but Plaid chairman Alun Ffred Jones said the matter was "serious because it involves bullying".{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-39161086| title=Plaid conference: Suspended councillor Neil McEvoy to speak > Wales Politics| work=BBC News | date= 4 March 2017}} McEvoy was subsequently suspended from the Plaid Cymru Senedd group on 7 March 2017 and reinstated two weeks later.{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/neil-mcevoy-apologised-council-officer-12773408|title=Neil McEvoy has apologised to a council officer he 'bullied'|first=Ruth|last=Mosalski|date=21 March 2017|website=walesonline|access-date=21 July 2017|archive-date=23 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923204026/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/neil-mcevoy-apologised-council-officer-12773408|url-status=live}} A Plaid Cymru disciplinary panel was to consider the complaints later in the Autumn.{{cite news |author=James Williams |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-41260668 |title=Neil McEvoy complaints before Plaid Cymru disciplinary panel |work=BBC News |date=14 September 2017 |access-date=12 November 2017 |archive-date=22 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122160721/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-41260668 |url-status=live }}

In September 2017, McEvoy was suspended again, after a unanimous decision by Plaid's Assembly group, following accusations that he had undermined Plaid Cymru's policy on council housing.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-41320685 |title=Neil McEvoy suspended from Plaid Cymru group again |work=BBC News |date=19 September 2017 |access-date=12 November 2017}} In December 2018 McEvoy was referred to the Assembly Standards Commissioner after he was accused by his former office manager, Michael Deem,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-46646950|title=Allegations AM misused assembly funds|date=21 December 2018|access-date=5 September 2019|language=en-GB}} of misusing Assembly funds for printing leaflets and recruiting staff for party political, rather than Assembly work. Deem refused to comment on media reports, and McEvoy responded by stating that he "will continue to ask the difficult questions that some people don't want asked".

In January 2018 he was expelled from the Plaid Cymru group in the Welsh Assembly,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-politics-42718363/neil-mcevoy-claims-unanimous-support-to-be-plaid-cymru-am |title=Neil McEvoy claims unanimous support to be Plaid Cymru AM |work=BBC News |date=17 January 2018 |archive-date=24 September 2018 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924044120/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-politics-42718363/neil-mcevoy-claims-unanimous-support-to-be-plaid-cymru-am |url-status=live }} with a spokesperson stating that "his ongoing behaviour has left Assembly Member colleagues feeling undermined and demoralised".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-42711839|title=Neil McEvoy expelled from Plaid Cymru assembly group|website=BBC|access-date=17 January 2018}} He then sat as an independent.{{cite web|url=https://nation.cymru/news/plaid-cymru-win-council-seat-by-election-in-first-ministers-constituency/|title=Plaid Cymru win council seat by-election in First Minister's constituency|date=22 February 2019|website=Nation.Cymru|language=en-GB|access-date=5 September 2019|archive-date=5 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905190513/https://nation.cymru/news/plaid-cymru-win-council-seat-by-election-in-first-ministers-constituency/|url-status=live}}

McEvoy posted to Twitter in March 2018, and later deleted, a response to an earlier post about former Plaid leader and AM Leanne Wood with an image of himself and Dafydd Elis-Thomas wearing boxing gloves outside the Senedd.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-43402224|title=Neil McEvoy's Leanne Wood boxing tweet deleted after criticism|date=14 March 2018|access-date=5 September 2019|language=en-GB|archive-date=12 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912200748/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-43402224|url-status=live}} The tweet was captioned "we're ready for her", and was deleted after AMs including Plaid minister Bethan Sayed said the tweet was "absolutely not funny". Matthew Ford, a senior advisor to McEvoy, later came forward to state he had posted the image without McEvoy's prior knowledge, to promote a "cross-party boxing event with the minister for sport".

It was announced on 27 January 2019 that McEvoy's temporary expulsion from Plaid Cymru had been reviewed and cut by six months.{{cite web|title=Neil McEvoy's Plaid Cymru expulsion cut by six months|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-44142173|website=BBC Wales News|access-date=27 January 2019|archive-date=1 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301082433/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-44142173|url-status=live}} In July 2019, McEvoy was again investigated for allegedly intimidating behaviour towards a care home worker. McEvoy contended that the case involved a child who had suffered "the worst case I've come across in 30 years".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48976028|title=Neil McEvoy probed over 'intimidating' behaviour|date=13 July 2019|access-date=5 September 2019|language=en-GB}} The investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales came during McEvoy's request in June to be re-admitted to the party, following over a year outside it. The Plaid Membership, Discipline and Standards Committee was described as "evenly split" during deliberations into the case.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-48608283|title=Plaid considers re-admitting Neil McEvoy|date=12 June 2019|access-date=5 September 2019|language=en-GB|archive-date=11 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911124950/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-48608283|url-status=live}} However shortly after, the committee's panel saw "two instances of unauthorised disclosure" of information which stated the panel had failed to reach a decision. The news leak led to the party deciding to disband the panel and form a new panel with new members.

As a result, McEvoy withdrew his application to re-join Plaid Cymru, and in a letter accused two members of the Membership, Discipline and Standards Committee panel of holding "prejudiced views about" him, as well as complaining of "malicious" leaks intended to bring down "a non-compliant panel".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-48938971|title=Neil McEvoy drops Plaid Cymru membership bid|date=10 July 2019|access-date=5 September 2019|language=en-GB}} Plaid AM Helen Mary Jones however stated that the process was fair, and that the issue had consumed too much of "our time and our resources". She has indicated the Party would likely contact McEvoy through its solicitors regarding his claims. McEvoy is believed to have withdrawn his application due to party rules which state that if his application had been rejected in 2019, he would have been unable to reapply for a further five years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-48950876|title=McEvoy feared five year exclusion from Plaid Cymru|date=11 July 2019|access-date=5 September 2019|language=en-GB}}

Senedd Commissioner for Standards Sir Roderick Evans resigned on 11 November 2019 after audio transcripts were published containing what McEvoy described as "bias", "really sexist views" about "female lawyers"{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-50388144|title=Police investigate AM's secret recordings|date=12 November 2019|access-date=12 November 2019|language=en-GB}} as well as comments that former Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood should "wind her neck in". The transcripts were quoted in the chamber by Assembly Brexit Party leader Mark Reckless, who later withdrew the comments on the request of the speaker, Elin Jones. The speaker subsequently ordered a security sweep of the assembly estate. McEvoy always stated he was the source of the recordings, which he said were made on his mobile phone in meeting rooms in the Senedd. Sir Roderick said McEvoy's conduct was "wholly unacceptable", and Jones requested that South Wales Police investigate the recordings.

On 2 December 2020 he was excluded from Senedd proceedings for 21 calendar days as well as being barred from Senedd buildings and having his pay docked{{cite web |title=Neil McEvoy faces losing 21 days of his salary over 'physically and verbally aggressive' incident in Senedd |url=https://twitter.com/WalesPolitics/status/1334491715542147075 |website=Twitter |publisher=BBC Wales}} after a Senedd Committee found him to have breached Senedd rules following an altercation with Labour MS Mick Antoniw where he behaved in a threatening and intimidatory way and employed physical and verbal aggression to do so.{{cite web |title=Standards Committee recommends Neil McEvoy be excluded from the Senedd |url=https://nation.cymru/news/standards-committee-recommends-neil-mcevoy-be-excluded-from-the-senedd/ |website=Nation.Cymru |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=2 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202204350/https://nation.cymru/news/standards-committee-recommends-neil-mcevoy-be-excluded-from-the-senedd/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Report 03-20 by the Committee on Standards of Conduct to the Senedd under Standing Order 22.9 |url=https://senedd.wales/laid%20documents/cr-ld13884/cr-ld13884-e.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3CAPIq4RYm-uSH04np34sKj1SsJdxdP69WOykORd0v1rMi5WB50hodlKs |website=senedd.wales |publisher=Senedd Cymru}}

In 2021, Cardiff Magistrates' Court issued McEvoy with a single justice procedure notice for breaching COVID-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions. McEvoy was accused of distributing election leaflets in February 2021, which was prohibited because of coronavirus legislation. McEvoy denied the allegation. A judge dismissed the case on the 21 October 2021 because the prosecution had made mistakes in the preparation of the case.{{Cite news|date=2021-10-21|title=Neil McEvoy: Lockdown case against Cardiff politician dismissed|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-58996114|access-date=2021-12-02|archive-date=2 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202134822/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-58996114|url-status=live}}

Personal life

McEvoy lives in Cardiff with his wife Ceri. He has a daughter.{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/who-neil-mcevoy-plaid-politician-12901511|title=A profile of Plaid's controversial Cardiff leader Neil McEvoy|first=Ruth|last=Mosalski|date=16 April 2017|website=walesonline|access-date=12 November 2017|archive-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060158/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/who-neil-mcevoy-plaid-politician-12901511|url-status=live}} His sister Lisa Ford was a Cardiff councillor for Propel, having resigned from Plaid Cymru at the same time as McEvoy.{{cite news |last1=Sanders |first1=Alison |title=Councillors claim to be victims of crime because of their positions in community |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/councillors-claim-been-victims-crime-6745707 |access-date=28 May 2020 |work=Wales Online |date=26 February 2014}}{{cite news |title=Three Plaid Cymru councillors in Cardiff resign from party over McEvoy expulsion |url=https://nation.cymru/news/three-plaid-cymru-councillors-in-cardiff-resign-from-party-over-mcevoy-expulsion/ |access-date=28 May 2020 |work=Nation.Cymru |date=23 October 2019}}{{cite web |title=Councillor Lisa Ford |url=https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=133 |website=Cardiff Council |access-date=28 May 2020}}