There is a by-election in the Welsh Assembly for the Anglesey constituency and the Welsh nationalists have got themselves into a right tizz. Rhun ap Iorwerth, one of BBC Wales’ most prominent faces, has announced he is standing down from broadcasting to seek the nomination. Local sources suggest that he is not even a member so Plaid Cymru are having to bend the rules. The local party and other local candidates are said to be furious about it. The BBC are saying this afternoon that as soon as Rhun ap Iorweth was linked to the seat then he was immediately removed from the airwaves. That’s not quite what happened…

The Beeb man’s planned candidacy was well known in Welsh media circles since mid last week and other hacks were tweeting about it. The less-subtle hints have subsequently been deleted, but what is clear is the BBC claim today that Rhun ap Iorwerth was taken off the air immediately is nonsense. For example, on Saturday their Welsh Affairs Editor Vaughan Roderick was in the know: “Sibrydion diddorol o Ynys Môn. Interesting rumours from Anglesey. Expect something tomorrow.” As were Welsh papers…

Big question, will Rhun ap Iorwerth’s name be on the list? #Monbyelection

— Holyhead Mail (@HolyheadMail) June 23, 2013

What correspondence, texts, emails or private DMs were exchanged between Rhun ap Iorwerth and editorial and/or management at BBC Wales about his intention to stand for selection? Precisely when did Rhun ap Iorwerth notify BBC Wales of his intention to stand for selection as the Plaid Cymru candidate? Did BBC Wales instruct journalists from their Political Unit at any point not to report on the controversy building around Rhun ap Iorwerth? Questions, questions…