Statue of 'father of devolution' Rhodri Morgan unveiled

Hundreds of people have gathered in Cardiff Bay for the unveiling of a statue honouring the life of former First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

The bronze monument in front of the Pierhead Building depicts Morgan looking up toward the Welsh Parliament he helped to create, standing in casual clothes alongside his dog, Tel.

"The statue itself is also on the ground, not on a plinth," said Morgan's wife Julie. "He was someone who was close to the people, and it reflects that."

Former First Minister Mark Drakeford called it a permanent memorial to the "father of devolution", adding, "without him we wouldn't have the Senedd".

Morgan stabilised Welsh devolution after its rocky first year, becoming the first person to hold the title of first minister, a position he held with memorable style for nine years.

The Cardiff-born, Harvard-educated politician was known to many as the most popular of his generation when he stepped down as first minister in 2009.

He died, aged 77, while out cycling near his home in 2017.

Speaking at the statue unveiling, Finance Minister Elin Jones called it an "important day for Wales and Rhodri Morgan's family".

"He was the chief builder of the Senedd in the hearts and minds of the people," Jones said.

Labour MS Shav Taj called Morgan a "true friend of working people and the trade union movement".

Llywydd Huw Irranca-Davies praised Morgan for his charisma, saying that "people who never met Rhodri felt they knew him as a friend".

Drakeford called the day "bittersweet", and described it as a reminder of "the person and politician we have lost".

"He was the same with everyone he met, he was a man of the people. You would see people crossing the road to talk to him," he said.

"People recognised him, his hair and his voice."

Julie Morgan said the statue, which depicts the former first minister's "unstuffy" approach to politics, was the result of eight years of planning.

"We've had a pandemic, cost of living crisis, but we're finally here," she said.

"We've been raising money through lots of small events, dinners, donations from all over Wales, including lots of groups representing ethnic minorities."

Dilwar Ali from the Rhodri Morgan Trust said he was pleased the politician would now be "in front of the Senedd where he spent so many years working for the people of Wales".

"He was a man of the people and his statue will add to the streetscape of the bay where so many visitors pass by," he said.

The monument was designed by sculptor Andy Edwards, who has Welsh roots and has created more than 50 bronze sculptures, including one of the Beatles walking along the Liverpool waterfront.

The sculpture was completed at Castle Fine Arts Foundry in Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Powys.