Wales' national poet, Hanan Issa, has stated she will not attend the Senedd's opening ceremony today after her submitted poem was rejected. Issa's poem, 'To Grow', which included references to Gaza and trans healthcare, was deemed unsuitable for the 'apolitical' event.
Issa posted on social media on Wednesday that the Senedd Commission rejected her poem, despite her having reworked it. She told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that she is 'not welcome anymore' and will not be part of the ceremony, which King Charles III and Queen Camilla are attending to officially open the Senedd's seventh term.
The Senedd Commission confirmed the poem was 'not the right fit for this occasion', while Presiding Officer Huw Irranca-Davies described Issa as a 'fantastic poet' but reiterated that the ceremonial opening is not a day for political debate. Issa expressed concern that a poem raising political issues was not welcome in a chamber where such issues are discussed.